Below is a short history of his career, and my opioion as to why I rate him as one of the best.

Gil de Ferran started his journey in to the World of motorsports like many of his fellow drivers, in karts. 1982 in the 125cc karting junior category in Sao Paulo, Brazil. He ended the season in third place.

A second year of karting followed, racing in category B of the 125cc championship, again in Sao Paulo, this time Gil won the title.
In 1984 Gil competed in two series, the 125cc karting class A in Sao Paulo where he finished third, and also the FIA 100cc karts, Brazilian class A series in which he took the championship.

Gil s time in karts had proved invaluable, but it was time to move up to single seater cars. In 1985 he competed in the Brazilian Formula Ford 1600 series, concluding the season twelfth.

A further two years in FF1600 yielded his maiden victory in the series and lifted his final standing to seventh, and in the third year of the championship Gil registered seven wins and the title.

Like many drivers from South America Gil moved to England to advance his race career. In 1988 he secured a drive in British Esso FF1600, similar cars to those raced in Brazil for three seasons. This first time out in England resulting in a year ending tenth.
1989 Gil had rides in two championships, both FF1600. His second year in the Esso series he improved his overall season ending placing to third, benefiting from four race wins. Besides the Esso series Gil also raced in the RAC championship finishing third.

1990 Gil secured a drive in the British Vauxhall Lotus championship and the European Opel series. Final positions, second in the British series and third in the European.

1991 Gil was given the opportunity to drive in the British Formula 3 series, a championship that had good exposure, including acting as support to th e British F1 round at Silverstone. Three wins elevated him to third in the final standings.
The following year 1992 Gil won the British F3 drivers crown, he was also involved in test driving for the Williams GP team.

1993 and Gil moved onto the International stage, as he took a drive in International F3000. His debut season yielded one win but consistency elevated him to fourth in the series. F1 testing.

1994 was a pivotal year for de Ferran, remaining in the F3000 series he notched a duo of wins and concluded the season in third. A successful test drive with US based CART team saw Gil sign contracts to race the 1995 Indycar/CART series for Hall Racing.

The competitive world of Indycar was a great challenge, after a rocky start Gil soon found his feet and recorded his maiden victory at the season ending finale. This late season spurt secured the Rookie of the year title, a prize for drivers in their debut season.
A second year '96 with Hall racing saw Gil register another win and several top three finishes.

A move to Walker racing in 1997 saw Gil ride out the season in runner up place behind Alex Zanardi, no wins but he did feature in the closest CART finish in history, finishing just 0.027 seconds behind the race winner. Consistency was key this year.
A second season with Walker presented no wins mainly due to mechanical problems through out the season, subsequently his ranking reflected this as he was placed twelfth.
1999 staying with Walker Gil recorded two wins, his ranking was eighth.

2000 and a move to Championship winning team Penske. Gil registered the 100th win for the team. Two wins, five pole positions over the season and by the final race at Fontana Gil was in battle for the title with five drivers, but as attrition took its toll it was a shoot out with one other driver Fernandez of Mexico. The battle was won with just a couple of laps remaining.
Gil was the 2000 CART Ch ampion. Gil de Ferran had taken a much coverted title.

After following his career for many years I am of the opinion that he is a truely talented driver, who has quietly got on with the job without the need for constantly seeking publicity, this is why the name maybe unfamiliar to many people, but now with a major title under his belt, he should become a more recognisable figure, and when the CART series rolls into England in 2001 I suggest you look out for him. He is a personable, unasuming guy who will gladly pose for photos or have a chat about racing.

*Gil secured the 2001 CART drivers crown after another close run battle. Gil took two race wins towards the end of the season including the inaugural race at Rockingham, England.
In 2002 Gil and the Penske team will leave the CART series to face new challenges in the IRL championship where I'm certain he will put up a strong challenge for the title.