Statement on the passing of Gil de Ferran

It is with deep sadness that McLaren Racing shares the heartbreaking news of the passing of a beloved member of our McLaren Racing family, Gil de Ferran. We are deeply shocked and saddened by this sudden and immense loss. Gil’s extraordinary contributions to the world of racing and his dedication to McLaren Racing will forever be remembered and cherished. 

Gil, a two-time Champ Car world champion in 2000 and 2001 and 2003 Indianapolis 500 winner, has worked with both the IndyCar and Formula 1 teams for McLaren Racing and has been instrumental in the teams’ strong performances in the 2023 seasons.  

The thoughts of everyone at McLaren Racing are with Gil’s family, friends and loved ones. We hope the shared memories we all have of Gil give them some strength at this incredibly difficult time and beyond. 

“The news of Gil’s passing leaves us devastated. Gil was not only a dear friend but a fearless racer whose passion and determination on the track inspired us all. I’ve raced with Gil all over the world and watched him win some of the biggest races. His time with us here at McLaren Racing has been pivotal in our forward development, particularly this past year and the turnaround of our F1 team’s performance and results. His legacy will continue to shape our team’s future"