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Gil de Ferran obituary: Indy 500 winner and two-time IndyCar champion dies aged 56
Gil de Ferran, a Brazilian racing driver, has passed away at the age of 56. He won America’s biggest open-wheel race, beating his close friend and teammate Helio Castroneves by 0.299s after a fierce battle. De Ferran’s victory came after overtaking Castroneves in traffic with 30 laps remaining. Despite immense pressure and suffering from shoulder cramps, he secured his crowning glory in his brilliant open-wheel career. De Ferran retired from IndyCar at the end of that season, having won two titles in 2000 and 2001. He started his racing career in Brazil but gained recognition in the United Kingdom, winning the British Formula 3 title in 1992. De Ferran made a name for himself in the IndyCar Series, racing for the prestigious team Penske and achieving 12 wins and 21 pole positions.
