INDIANAPOLIS — Gil de Ferran was Simon Pagenaud’s racing mentor, a close friend and a father figure.
The 2003 Indianapolis 500 winner helped bring Pagenaud into big-time racing in the United States and was his team owner in the American Le Mans Series.
De Ferran died of a massive heart attack on Dec. 29, 2023. Pagenaud has not driven a race car since he was involved in an IndyCar crash during practice at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on July 1, 2023.
Before Sunday’s 108th Indianapolis 500, Pagenaud will climb into the cockpit of De Ferran’s Indy 500-winning G-Force chassis and take a lap around the 2.5-mile IMS oval in memory of his fallen friend.
Pagenaud and de Ferran were close for almost two decades. De Ferran mentored the young Frenchman when he first came to the United States. The two would spend hours talking and Simon famously called Gil his “Yoda.”
Because of their special bond, the de Ferran family wanted Pagenaud to drive Gil’s car during the tribute in memory of the French-Brazilian.
“When I got the call from Angela, Luke and Anna and they asked me to drive Gil’s car, I could not help the tears as I feel so thankful to have the chance to remind everyone on this amazing day of racing of the great racer, father and man he was,” Pagenaud said.
During the tribute lap, Pagenaud will wear a helmet that he specially designed in memory of his late friend. Details of the helmet will be disclosed before Sunday’s tribute via Simon’s social media accounts.
The car has been in the care of Penske Restoration and Pagenaud will do one parade lap around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to honor de Ferran before Sunday’s 108th Indianapolis 500.
Pagenaud has a long and successful history with the Indianapolis 500, racing in it 12 times, and winning it from pole position in 2019.
“Gil de Ferran has been my role model, not only as a racer but also as a father,” Pagenaud said. “I got to be very close to him, Angela, Anna and Luke through the years.
“Through this tribute I am so happy we will get to remember Gil winning Indianapolis in this iconic Team Penske livery. The colors, the helmet, the sound, the memories, and the fact that he taught me everything about this place. I remember late nights and countless hours with my Yoda talking about all the fine details to get to victory lane at the speedway.”