Simon Pagenaud will be back behind the wheel for this year’s Indianapolis 500, completing a tribute lap in Gil de Ferran’s Indy 500 winning car.
Pagenaud has been sidelined following a spectacular crash last July that saw him tumble multiple times through the gravel at high speed in Mid-Ohio.
Lingering concussion-like symptoms have plagued the Frenchman in the 11 months since his accident, although he continues to make slow progress towards a full recovery.
The first time Pagenaud will pilot a race car again will be in the lead-up to this year’s Indy 500, when he will drive the 2003 Team Penske car around the track as a tribute to his longtime friend de Ferran.
“Gil de Ferran has been my role model, not only as a racer but also as a father,” said Pagenaud.
“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.
“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.”
de Ferran passed away unexpectedly at the end of last year, suffering a medical episode while driving on a club track in Florida.
He had been in an advisory role with Arrow McLaren, using his years of driving experience in CART and IndyCar to help the team’s current slate of drivers get the most performance out of their machines.
His 2003 car features the iconic Marlboro Team Penske livery, and will be nearly as much of a crowd pleaser as the sight of Pagenaud behind the wheel once again.
The lap will be completed as part of the IMS Museum’s Historic Car parade, which is scheduled to take place at 10:40 AM, weather dependent.
