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Simon Pagenaud hasn’t been in a race car since the brake failure and heavy crash that ensued last year at Mid-Ohio, but he’ll make a tearful return to the cockpit on Sunday when he drives his mento…
Simon Pagenaud, who hasn’t raced since his crash at Mid-Ohio last year, will emotionally return to the track by driving Gil de Ferran’s 2003 Indianapolis 500-winning car in honor of the late Brazilian. Pagenaud expressed his admiration for de Ferran, calling him not just a mentor in racing, but also a father figure. He shared his close bond with de Ferran’s family and expressed his happiness in paying tribute by driving the iconic Team Penske car in its original livery. The French driver reminisced about the time spent with de Ferran, learning the nuances of racing and the Indianapolis Speedway. Pagenaud will wear a special tribute helmet for de Ferran as he takes to the track in the restored Team Penske GForce-Toyota. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to honor de Ferran’s legacy as a racer and a man, feeling privileged to remind everyone of his greatness through this tribute.
