INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The 2003 Indianapolis 500 winner and two-time Champ Car champion Gil de Ferran died unexpectedly in Florida Friday.

According to the Associated Press, de Ferran was racing with his son at The Concours Club in Opa-Locka when he pulled over and suffered an apparent heart attack. He celebrated his 56th birthday in November.

The Brazilian racing great still holds the record for the fastest qualifying lap on a closed course in history, clocking 241.428 MPH at the California Speedway in 2000. Although hailing from Brazil, de Ferran was born in Paris, France, making him just one of five French-born Indy 500 winners in the race’s 107-year history.

Fellow Indy 500 champion and Brazilian driver Tony Kanaan said he has “no words to describe this loss” in a post on X Friday night.

Kanaan also spoke to the Associated Press about the loss of his colleague, countryman, and friend.

“He was one of my best friends and we grew up together and lately and we worked together at McLaren,” Kanaan told The Associated Press. “In the beginning of this year, he was a mentor, helping me out. 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 I could do.”

During his racing career, de Ferran started in 129 CART and IndyCar events. He won two championships, seven CART races, five IndyCar races, and 16 poles during his nine-year career before retiring the same year of his Indy 500 win — 2003. de Ferran won his final race at the Texas Motor Speedway that year, despite a serious crash that left the 1999 Indy 500 champ Kenny Bräck injured.

de Ferran’s three biggest wins — the 2003 Indy 500, 2000 Champ Car, and 2001 Champ Car titles — were all for owner Roger Penske.

Recently, de Ferran had just rejoined the McLaren race team in May as a consultant for their Formula 1 team, on hand for the Miami Grand Prix.

Some of de Ferran’s colleagues shared statements on his passing:

“We are terribly saddened to hear about today’s tragic passing of Gil de Ferran. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Angela, Anna, Luke and the entire de Ferran family. Gil defined class as a driver and as a gentleman. As an INDYCAR champion and an Indianapolis 500 winner, Gil accomplished so much during his career, both on and off the track.

“Gil was beloved by so many. He was a great friend to 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.”

– Roger Penske, chairman, Penske Corporation

“It is heartbreaking to learn of the loss of Gil de Ferran. His accomplishments on the racetrack were significant, but I, along with so many in our paddock, were fortunate to know how wonderful he was as a person. Gil was a true INDYCAR ambassador whose charm and wit were second to none. Our condolences are with the de Ferran family during this difficult time.”

– Mark Miles, president and CEO, Penske Entertainment Corp.

“Gil de Ferran was an Indianapolis 500 winner who has always represented the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing’ with pure class. A true champion in open-wheel racing, Gil’s thrilling win at Indianapolis put an exclamation point on his tremendous career. It was always a highlight every May when Gil would return to the Speedway, where he always spent time with fans and friends. We were fortunate to honor him and celebrate the 20th anniversary of his win this past May. Our hearts and deepest sympathies go to Angela, their children and all his family and friends.”

– J. Douglas Boles, president, Indianapolis Motor Speedway