Racing legend Gil de Ferran has tragically passed away at the age of 56 while racing with his son, Luke, at The Concourse Club in Opa-Locka, Florida. Multiple colleagues have confirmed the news of his death, stating that de Ferran suffered a heart attack during the race.

A Heartbreaking Loss

The incident occurred on Friday when de Ferran pulled over during the race and expressed that he was not feeling well. Fellow driver Tony Kanaan, who was present at the scene, revealed that de Ferran suffered a heart attack and attempts to revive him were unsuccessful.

"We are terribly saddened to hear about the tragic loss of Gil de Ferran," said Roger Penske, the owner of Team Penske and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to Angela, Anna, Luke, and the entire de Ferran family."

A Champion and a Gentleman

De Ferran, who won the Indianapolis 500 in 2003 for Team Penske, is remembered as a trailblazer in the racing world. Penske praised his accomplishments, stating, "Gil defined class as a driver and a gentleman. It's a tragic loss and he will be deeply missed."

Driver Tony Kanaan, who considered de Ferran a close friend, expressed his devastation over the loss. "I lost a dear friend. I am devastated. I have to say, he went in Gil style, driving a racecar. If I could choose a way to go, that's what it could be."

Tributes Pour In

Marco Andretti, who credited de Ferran for his F1 tests, paid tribute to the late racing legend. "One of the reasons for my F1 tests. Loved your passion and love for our sport. Thank you for what you contributed to my life," he wrote.

More details on this tragic incident will be provided as they become available. Stay tuned to The U.S. Sun online for the latest news. For more celebrity news, sports updates, real-life stories, captivating pictures, and must-see videos, visit The-Sun.com. Follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/TheSunUS and on X (formerly Twitter) at @TheUSSun.