Gil de Ferran
Gil de Ferran ( born November 11, 1967 in Paris, France, the son of Brazilian parents ), is a Brazilian racing driver and former sports director of the Formula 1 teams from Honda.
Career
Inspired by his countryman Emerson Fittipaldi began de Ferran his racing career in the early 1980s in karting. In 1987 he rose to the Formula Ford and 1991 in the Formula 3 After winning the British Formula 3 Championship in 1992 followed by two years in Formula 3000 in the team of Paul Stewart.
An impressive test drive in the IndyCar teams of Jim Hall in late 1994 brought de Ferran into a contract for the 1995 season, which he finished 14th in the championship and a race win at Laguna Seca as Rookie of the Year.
After the dissolution of the team of Jim Hall de Ferran moved for three years to Walker Racing, where he was second in the 1997 Champ Car championship. After his move to Penske Racing de Ferran in 2000 and 2001 could decide the championship and win 2003 500 miles of Indianapolis, as well as the runner-up in the Indy Racing League.
After winning the Indy 500 de Ferran announced for the end of season 2003 his retirement from active racing. He won his last race at Texas Motor Speedway. In 2005, de Ferran the post of sporting director at the BAR Formula 1 team and in 2006 his successor Honda. In July 2007, Honda and de Ferran separated into " mutual agreement ".
End of January 2008 announced de Ferran, that he will be active as a racing driver again and will take approximately from mid-season with its own factory-backed Acura prototypes in the LMP2 class of the American Le Mans Series.
Results
Champ Car
Indy Racing League
* 2001 competed in only 2 races