Gil de Ferran, 2003 Indy 500 winner, dead at 56 after having a heart attack while racing with his son in Florida as tributes pour in: ‘He defined class as a driver and as a gentleman’

Gil de Ferran, the 2003 Indianapolis 500 winner and holder of the closed-course land speed record, died Friday while racing with his son at The Concourse Club in Florida, several former colleagues confirmed to The Associated Press. He was 56.

Fellow Brazilian driver Tony Kanaan said de Ferran was with his son Luke at the private track in Opa-Locka, Florida, when he stopped and said he wasn't feeling well. Kanaan said de Ferran apparently suffered a heart attack and could not be revived.

When De Ferran won the 2003 Indy 500 for Roger Penske, it was the third straight victory in the 'Greatest Spectacle in Racing' for Penske, who now has a record 19 victories in the iconic Memorial Day weekend race.

“We are terribly saddened to hear of the tragic passing of Gil de Ferran today. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Angela, Anna, Luke and the entire De Ferran family,” Roger Penske said in a statement.

'Gil defined class as a driver and as a gentleman. As an IndyCar champion and winner of the Indianapolis 500, Gil has accomplished so much during his career, both on and off the track.

de Ferran, pictured in 2017 with Fernando Alonso, raced with his son in Florida

Brazilian de Ferran celebrated his iconic victory in the Indy500 in 2003

“Gil was loved by so many. He was a close friend of the Team Penske and IndyCar family, as well as the entire international motorsports community. Gil's passing is a terrible loss and he will be deeply missed.”

Kanaan said he was “devastated” by the loss of the Brazilian icon.

“He was one of my best friends and we grew up together and most recently we worked together at McLaren,” Kanaan told The Associated Press.

'At the beginning of this year he was a mentor and helped me. I lost a dear friend. I'm devastated. I have to say he rode Gil style and drove a race car. If I could choose a path, I could do it.”

The Brazilian Motorsport Confederation confirmed that de Ferran suffered a fatal heart attack in a statement from President Giovanni Guerra.

'Gil de Ferran shone on the Brazilian and foreign circuits, highlighted by his English Formula 3 title, his two IndyCar championships and the victory at the Indy 500 in 2003. In my name and in the name of our confederation, we pray to God that He welcomes our brother in all glory and comforts his family, friends and millions of fans around the world.'

Juan Pablo Montoya, the 2000 and 2015 IndyCar champion, said: “Crazy sad news. Great guy and great racer.” Montoya won the 2015 Indy 500 for Penske.

The French-born Brazilian was rehired by McLaren as a consultant in May. He was sporting director of McLaren's failed bid to qualify Fernando Alonso for the 2019 Indy 500.

de Ferran was described as defining “class as driver and as gentleman” when he learned he died

de Ferran (second right) pictured at a Formula E event in London in 2019

“Everyone at McLaren Racing is shocked and deeply saddened to hear that we have lost a beloved member of our McLaren family.” the team posted on social media. “We extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Gil de Ferran.

McLaren CEO Zak Brown, a close friend of De Ferran, added: “I am shocked and devastated to hear of the loss of a close friend and his teammate.” he wrote on social media. 'I've raced with Gil all over the world and seen him win some of the biggest races.

“He has been a wonderful friend for more than 20 years and will be greatly missed and never forgotten,” Brown said. 'My deepest condolences to his family. RIP Gil. The next victory is yours! Good speed.'

De Ferran won the 2000 and 2001 Champ Car titles driving for Penske, as well as the 2003 Indy 500 with Penske. He finished second in the LMP1 class of the American Le Mans Series in 2009, driving for his own Ferran Motorsports.

In 2000 at California Speedway, De Ferran set the closed course land speed record during CART qualifying with a lap of 391.428 mph – a record that still stands today.

Marco Andretti was one of dozens of drivers to whom he paid his respects on social media. It included a photo of de Ferran with the caption “My friend.” One of the real ones. One of the reasons for my F1 testing. I loved your passion and love for our sport. Thank you for what you have contributed to my life.”

Inspired to race by compatriot Emerson Fittipaldi, De Ferran started his career in karting before embarking on a career in the European ladder system. He lost the British Formula Three title in 1991 to compatriots Rubens Barrichello and David Coulthard, but won the title the following season.

He won seven CART races and five IndyCar races and finished second in the 2003 standings. He joined Team Penske in 2000 with the iconic Marlboro sponsorship.

De Ferran is survived by his wife Angela, daughter Anna and son Luke. Anna has become a DJ at Formula 1 races around the world and the whole family had been posting festive Christmas pictures over the past week.