Headline: F1 News: Lando Norris Makes Touching Tribute To Gil de Ferran At 2024 Pre-Season Testing
Lando Norris has revealed his helmet design for pre-season testing, paying homage to the late Gil de Ferran in a heartfelt gesture that resonated deeply within the motorsport community.
Key Takeaways:
- Lando Norris honoured Gil de Ferran with a special helmet design reminiscent of de Ferran’s Indy 500 victory, as a tribute to their close relationship and de Ferran’s impact on his career.
- Gil de Ferran, a former Indy 500 winner and McLaren Racing team consultant, passed away suddenly at 56, leaving the motorsport community in mourning.
- Tributes from key figures in the racing world, including McLaren CEO Zak Brown and Team Penske owner Roger Penske, highlighted de Ferran’s remarkable career and personal qualities.
As the motorsport world converges for the 2024 pre-season testing, a poignant moment unfolded when Lando Norris took to social media to announce a heartfelt tribute to the late Gil de Ferran. De Ferran, a revered figure in racing and a cherished confidant to Norris, left an indelible mark on those around him, both on and off the track. In remembrance, Norris adorned a helmet design mirroring that which de Ferran wore during his triumphant 2003 Indy 500 race, symbolising a deep-seated respect and gratitude for the mentorship and camaraderie they shared.
Norris posted to social media:
“We lost someone really special to us at the end of last year, he was a dear friend of mine and he’d been with me pretty much since I came into Formula 1. Someone who I not only had many laughs and great times with, but someone who helped me out on and off the track whenever I needed it.
“This is the design he won the Indy 500 with, and I’ll be wearing it today as my little way to say thank you for everything and to let him know we’re thinking of him and he’s still very much part of McLaren. I hope you like it. This one is for you Gil”
Gil de Ferran’s untimely demise in December 2023 sent shockwaves through the racing community. An acclaimed racer and a pivotal figure at McLaren, his sudden departure at 56 left a void filled with grief and fond recollections.
The reaction to de Ferran’s passing was profound, with notable figures within the motorsport domain expressing their sorrow and admiration for a man who was much more than a colleague or competitor. McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown, in a statement filled with personal reflection, lamented the loss of a dear friend and a stalwart of the racing world. Similarly, Roger Penske, under whose banner de Ferran achieved significant milestones, including his memorable Indy 500 win, praised his character and contributions to motorsports.
De Ferran’s association with McLaren, especially his role as a consultant initiated in May 2023, was part of a broader strategy aimed at bolstering the team’s performance. His expertise and insights were deemed invaluable in the team’s pursuit of excellence. Beyond his professional achievements, de Ferran’s persona, marked by grace and sportsmanship, endeared him to many, transcending the competitive boundaries of the track.
Norris’s tribute extends beyond the personal grief of losing a mentor; it reflects a collective sentiment within the McLaren team and the wider racing fraternity, acknowledging de Ferran’s profound influence and the void his passing has created.
