Indianapolis 500 champions has died at the age of 56 sports director for McLaren.

Indianapolis 500 champion Gil de Ferran has died at the age of 56.

   The Brazilian was also sports director and then a consultant for McLaren. Gil de Ferran, winner of the 2003 Indianapolis 500, has died at the age of 56.

   The Brazilian, a two-time CART champion, died on December 29 of a heart attack at The Concourse Club in Florida, where he was racing with his son. Associated Press. Competing against Rubens Barrichello and David Coulthard at the British Grand Prix, de Ferran won back-to-back CART titles in 2000 and 2001. In 2000, he set a closed-season land speed record at the now-defunct California Speedway.

   A speed of 241.428 mph around the two-mile oval is unbeatable. After winning the 2003 Indy 500 at Penske, de Ferran moved into Formula 1 management at BAR-Honda in 2005, but resigned two years later. In mid-2018, he joined McLaren as sporting director after Eric Boullier left the team, but left at the start of 2021 as part of a restructuring. He announced his return to McLaren at the Miami Grand Prix earlier this year and also attended the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the end of November.

   Everyone at McLaren Racing is shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the passing of a beloved member of the McLaren family. Read McLaren’s statement: Condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Gil de Ferran. Gil is an important and contributing part of our racing team. He is very strong on and off the trail and has a lasting impact on everyone who runs and works with him. He will be missed by everyone at McLaren Racing.

   Ferran is survived by Angela and her children, Anna and Luke. All of us at RacingNews365 would like to extend our condolences to the friends and family of Gil de Ferran at this very sad time.