There has been an outpouring of condolences following the sudden death of this racing legend and Brazilian icon.
Gil de Ferran was 56 years old, and a driver who was loved and respected by all. He is survived by his wife Angela, as well as his daughter Anna and son Luke.
de Ferran's career included back-to-back CART titles in 2000 and 2001, as well as the 2003 Indy 500 win with Team Penske. He also holds the record for fastest closed circuit qualifying speed ever, running 241.428mph at California Speedway in October of 2000.
Here are just some of the comments, statements and tributes from across the motorsports world in reaction to his unexpected passing at the age of 56:
We remember Gil de Ferran. pic.twitter.com/DDmcBgIj3Z
— Team Penske (@Team_Penske) December 30, 2023
My dear friend Gil, I have so many things to say yet nothing can explain the pain of losing you! I will miss you in my moments of joy, and my moments of doubts, and all the moments in between. You have been my model in life and it feels really empty right here right now. pic.twitter.com/oNY5HYUc58
— Simon Pagenaud (@simonpagenaud) December 30, 2023
🇧🇷 Campeão, amigo, rival, mentor dentro e fora das pistas. Sem palavras para descrever esta perda. Descanse em paz meu amigo.
— Tony Kanaan (@TonyKanaan) December 30, 2023
🇺🇸 Champion, friend, rival, mentor at the track and outside of it. I have no words to describe this loss. May you rest in peace my friend. pic.twitter.com/y8bkgjN49r
First time I was fortunate enough to commentate on @IndyCar at @IMS it was w the legend @GdeFerran - what an all around great guy. Along with our mate @justinbelltv we had a lot of laughs over the years. Gil, can’t believe you’re gone. Rest easy brother. You’re already missed! pic.twitter.com/WWuz0Jdh59
— Leigh Diffey (@leighdiffey) December 30, 2023
Rip Legend
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) December 30, 2023
His track record lap at Fontana will live on forever, trumped only by the praise from his fellow racers who always held him in the highest regard.#GodSpeed https://t.co/fKtANv57wB
My heart sank at the news of Gil de Ferran's death. It's heart-wrenching. Thinking of him now and savoring every conversation. He will be missed by so many. A wonderful man and a dear and loyal friend. pic.twitter.com/aPVXjlKwY7
— Mario Andretti (@MarioAndretti) December 30, 2023
R.I.P. Gil de Ferran. His friend Rick Gorne and I had the honor of hosting Gil at his first IndyCar race at Michigan Speedway in 1994.
— Chip Ganassi (@GanassiChip) December 30, 2023
It was a pleasure to watch Gil become an IndyCar winning driver, Indianapolis 500 Winner, and Champion.
My thoughts and prayers are with his… https://t.co/DPpQGv8coz
I am at a loss for words. It's a very sad day. Thank you for the moments we shared, for wholeheartedly teaching me how to race on ovals, and for the countless memories we created together. We will miss you Gil ❤️. pic.twitter.com/8ztGEPFj4Y
— Fernando Alonso (@alo_oficial) December 30, 2023
HRC is saddened to hear about the passing of Gil de Ferran.
— Honda Racing US (@HondaRacing_US) December 30, 2023
He was a true icon and advocate for motorsports. Our condolences go out to his family during this time. pic.twitter.com/5J6StdCax3
Godspeed Champ, fierce competitor and friend, you will be missed. pic.twitter.com/Zr4SkbcwMg
— Bryan Herta (@BryanHerta) December 30, 2023
Shocking news @GdeFerran just passed away. Too young oh my this is really shocking
— Arie Luyendyk (@ArieLuyendyk) December 30, 2023
Heartbroken about this news. Simply put, Gil was the best. A role model and a racer. Thoughts and prayers are with his family. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/HDQ4bVzwNT
— Will Power (@12WillPower) December 31, 2023
Horrible horrible news. Don’t even know what to say. Thank you for everything. RIP @GdeFerran
— Alexander Rossi (@AlexanderRossi) December 30, 2023
So incredibly sad. Gil was such a tremendous guy, always a great person to get advice from and lean on. I couldn’t be more devastated by this news. Prayers to the de Ferran family. https://t.co/6Q9RmnceVr
— Graham Rahal (@GrahamRahal) December 30, 2023
My friend. One of the real ones. One of the reasons for my F1 tests. Loved your passion and love for our sport. Thank you for what you contributed to my life. pic.twitter.com/jNW1iKpCXN
— Marco Andretti (@MarcoAndretti) December 30, 2023
Devastated and shocked by the loss of Gil de Ferran. Gil was a great competitor and even better friend. My prayers are with Angela, Luke, Anna and all of Gil’s loved ones. Gone too soon. Rest in peace, Gil, you will be missed. pic.twitter.com/ajNb16qvkE
— Michael Andretti (@michaelandretti) December 30, 2023
Heartbreaking news about Gil’s passing…. First remember him in British F3 back in 1991. Tremendous driver and fierce competitor who loved motor racing but most importantly a great person.
— Karun Chandhok (@karunchandhok) December 30, 2023
💔💔🙏🏽 Rest in peace Gil pic.twitter.com/bhj0pvyJly
One of the most electrifying racers you ever saw. And one of the most wonderful people you could ever hope to meet. Gil took time for everyone. He was true to his word, genuine and kind. He was a real friend. I can’t believe he’s gone. pic.twitter.com/uh1r4yuAXj
— Will Buxton (@wbuxtonofficial) December 30, 2023
Rest in peace to an absolute legend on and off the circuit❤️ Gil, I can’t believe what I just read. I just saw you a few weeks ago! 😞 Reminds me of how important it is to treasure friendship’s and moments you get with your loved ones. We miss you already.
— Pato O'Ward (@PatricioOWard) December 30, 2023
Gil, you will be missed in so many ways. Thank you for your friendship and support through the years. Sending love to your beautiful family. pic.twitter.com/izhhiFZ58E
— Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) December 30, 2023
One of my heroes gone way too soon. And one of the best laughs. Thoughts tonight are with the family and those that are close. Love you Gil. pic.twitter.com/MA6R3cZdRI
— Austin Cindric (@AustinCindric) December 30, 2023
One of the nicest guys I ever met. He made me laugh. He got it. Jesus, Gil, you left too soon. My sincere condolences to his lovely family and all who knew him (there are many, many, many) and all at McLaren. He was a fighter and a winner. Big loss. #f1 #Indy #McLaren #Indy500 pic.twitter.com/boV3laminZ
— Damon Hill (@HillF1) December 30, 2023
Gil. One of the very best ever. On and off the track. I can’t say enough about this man, this legend, and his family. First time we ever took our firstborn baby (Ryden) out of the house we met up with the DeFerrans. I could go on.. how he took time to talk to me when I was an…
— Ryan Hunter-Reay (@RyanHunterReay) December 30, 2023
It was a pleasure to get to know Gil this year, he will be greatly missed. Rest In Peace https://t.co/KxdLEst7pt
— Oscar Piastri (@OscarPiastri) December 30, 2023
I am at a complete loss for words. Gil de Ferran was a legend of our sport and an inspiration and mentor to so many, myself included. Absolutely shocked at news of his passing. My heart goes out to his family and fans.
— James Hinchcliffe (@Hinchtown) December 30, 2023
I am shocked and devastated to hear of the loss of our great friend and teammate. I’ve raced with Gil all over the world and watched him win some of the biggest races. He’s been a great friend for over 20 years and will be greatly missed and never forgotten. My deepest… pic.twitter.com/vJBbnK650F
— Zak Brown (@ZBrownCEO) December 30, 2023
Wow, what a devastating loss… Gil was always so good to me. Always so supportive. He will be missed so much. Sending all the love and support to Angela, Anna and Luke ❤️ #RIPChamp pic.twitter.com/c22wluvqKW
— Conor Daly (@ConorDaly22) December 30, 2023
Gil was a special driver, very special at car setup and big picture vision. He was a good friend, always a smile and great fun to be with. Shocked like everyone with his passing. A huge loss for his family, friends and the racing community. May he rest in peace. 🙏
— Danny Sullivan (@SpinToWin85) December 30, 2023
Prior to this email I had never spoken to @GdeFerran
— Ryan Dalziel (@ryan_dalziel) December 30, 2023
He sent this to me after winning Daytona in 2010.
I've never deleted that email. He was just a good good guy to so many young drivers. He just wanted to help and wanted nothing in return. #RIPGil #GildeFerran pic.twitter.com/kr39ks4aIJ
Gil was humble, thoughtful, witty, and an absolute delight to be around. He had a calm energy and a soft, wry smile that made you feel welcomed into his space for a quick chat whenever you were around him. A role model in so many ways. Just hard to believe. 😔❤️ https://t.co/ZJR4ymhlFu
— JR Hildebrand (@JRHildebrand) December 30, 2023
Shocked and sad to read this. Such a legend of our sport. Gone way to soon. Thinking of his family and friends. Rest in peace https://t.co/VPoNNmwXZw
— Marcus Ericsson (@Ericsson_Marcus) December 30, 2023
So sad to see this news. Gil was a legend of the sport and just a great person, always made time for anyone. He will be dearly missed. All thoughts with his family and loved ones. https://t.co/ym92hKJVtL
— Josef Newgarden (@josefnewgarden) December 30, 2023
I’m heartbroken to hear about the passing of my friend Gil.
— Carlos Sainz (@Carlossainz55) December 30, 2023
My thoughts are with his family and loved ones, specially with Angela, Anna and Luke.
We will miss you.
R.I.P. pic.twitter.com/UrVpnpPv6E
Just the most awful news to wake up to. Gil was one of the nicest and most genuine people you could ever be lucky enough to spend time with. A brilliant racer and a wonderful human being. RIP Gil x https://t.co/fMuoyedqdy
— David Croft (@CroftyF1) December 30, 2023
Very sad news today. Rest in peace Gil.
— Carlos Sainz (@CSainz_oficial) December 30, 2023
My thoughts are with his family and loved ones. You will be missed. pic.twitter.com/pKpfOJqPBL
All of us in the IMSA family are shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of Gil de Ferran,” said IMSA President John Doonan. “Gil’s unique combination of talent and personality made him a fan favorite and a beloved member of the entire motorsport community. He was a worthy… pic.twitter.com/RVCvqbrax2
— IMSA (@IMSA) December 30, 2023
