Gil de Ferran, the 2003 Indianapolis 500 winner and holder of the closed-course land velocity report, died Friday at age 56.

De Ferran died after racing along with his son at The Concourse Membership in Florida, a number of former colleagues confirmed to The Related Press. Fellow Brazilian driver Tony Kanaan mentioned de Ferran was along with his son, Luke, on the non-public course in Opa-Locka, Florida, when he pulled over and mentioned he wasn’t feeling properly.

The Brazilian Motorsports Confederation, in an announcement issued by president Giovanni Guerra, mentioned de Ferran suffered a deadly coronary heart assault.

“Gil de Ferran shone in Brazilian and overseas tracks, having as highlights his English Formulation 3 title, his two IndyCar championships, and the victory at Indy 500 in 2003,” Guerra mentioned within the assertion. “In my identify and within the identify of our confederation, we pray to God so He welcomes our brother in all glory and comforts his household, mates and thousands and thousands of followers all around the world.”

When de Ferran gained the 2003 Indy 500 for Roger Penske, it was the third consecutive win within the “Best Spectacle in Racing” for Penske, who has now amassed a report 19 victories within the iconic Memorial Day weekend race.

“We’re terribly saddened to listen to concerning the tragic lack of Gil de Ferran. Our ideas and prayers exit to Angela, Anna, Luke and your entire de Ferran household,” Penske mentioned in an announcement. “Gil outlined class as a driver and a gentleman. As an IndyCar Champion and an Indianapolis 500 winner, Gil completed a lot throughout his profession.

“He was beloved by so many and he was an excellent buddy to the Staff Penske household and to your entire worldwide motorsports neighborhood. It is a tragic loss and he shall be deeply missed.”

Kanaan mentioned he was “devastated” on the lack of the Brazilian icon.

“He was certainly one of my finest mates and we grew up collectively and currently and we labored collectively at McLaren,” Kanaan informed The Related Press. “At first of this 12 months he was a mentor, serving to me out. I misplaced an expensive buddy. I’m devastated. I’ve to say, he went in Gil model, driving a race automobile. If I might select a solution to go, that is what I might do.”

Juan Pablo Montoya, the 2000 and 2015 IndyCar champion, mentioned: “Loopy unhappy information. Wonderful man and nice racer.” Montoya gained the 2015 Indy 500 for Penske.

The French-born Brazilian was rehired at McLaren as a guide in Could. He had been sporting director of McLaren’s failed effort to qualify Fernando Alonso for the 2019 Indy 500.

“Everybody at McLaren Racing is shocked and deeply saddened to study we’ve misplaced a beloved member of our or McLaren household,” the staff posted on social media. “We despatched our deepest condolences to Gil de Ferran’s household, mates and family members.

McLaren CEO Zak Brown, a longtime shut buddy of de Ferran’s: “I’m shocked and devastated to listen to of the lack of an excellent buddy and he teammate. I’ve raced with Gil all around the world and watched him win among the greatest races.

“He is been an excellent buddy for over 20 years and shall be drastically missed and by no means forgotten. My deepest condolences to his household. RIP Gil. The subsequent win is for you! Goodspeed.”

De Ferran gained the 2000 and 2001 Champ Automobile titles driving for Penske, and the 2003 Indy 500 with Penske, as properly. He was runner-up in LMP1 class of the American Le Mans Sequence in 2009, driving for his self-owned de Ferran Motorsports.

In 2000 at California Speedway, de Ferran set the closed-course land velocity report throughout CART qualifying with a lap of 241.428 mph — a mark that stands.

Marco Andretti was certainly one of dozens of drivers to publish their respects on social media. His included a photograph of de Ferran that mentioned: “My buddy. One of many actual ones. One of many causes for my F1 checks. Beloved your ardour and love for our sport, Thanks for what you contributed to my life.”

De Ferran was impressed to race by fellow Brazilian Emerson Fittipaldi and began his profession in karting earlier than embarking on a profession within the European ladder system. He misplaced the British Formulation Three title to countryman Rubens Barrichello and David Coulthard in 1991, however gained the title the subsequent season.

He gained seven CART and 5 IndyCar races, ending second within the 2003 standings. He joined Staff Penske with its iconic Marlboro sponsorship in 2000.

De Ferran is survived by his spouse, Angela, daughter Anna, and son Luke. Anna has change into a DJ at Formulation One races all over the world and your entire household had been posting festive Christmas images over the previous week.

Info from The Related Press was used on this report.