F1 legend drops 3-word reaction to McLaren tribute for Gil de Feran

Former F1 driver Damon Hill shared a post remembering McLaren's former Sporting Director and Motorsports legend, Gil de Feran, to his social media. The 1996 drivers' championship winner took to his social media to share the post dedicated to de Feran, who passed away in December 2023.

"His spirit lives," Hill wrote on Instagram.

Damon Hill's instagram story featuring the tribute to Gil de Ferran - Image via Instagram/@96f1champ

Gil de Ferran was the winner of the 2003 Indianapolis 500, two CART Championships in 2000 and 2001, and a runner up in the American Le Mans Series in 2009. The Brazilian driver was one of the fastest drivers in motorsports history, as proven by the record he set in 2000 for the fastest-ever qualifying lap with an average speed of 241.428 mph. He joined McLaren's F1 team in 2018, after its ninth-place finish in the constructors' championship in 2017. Although he only stayed with the team till 2020 as the Sporting Director, the team finished fourth and third in the standings over the two seasons.

He rejoined the team in 2023 in a consulting role, where he played a part in post-race debriefs, and spent time at the headquarters in Woking. His work helped the team achieve a fourth place finish in the standings that year, scoring 302 points.

In McLaren's tribute post to the former driver, the team dedicated its 2024 constructors' championship win to him, captioning its post with:

"A year ago today, we lost a beloved member of the McLaren family. You’re always in our hearts, Gil. That Championship win was for you."

The nine-time constructors' champion team McLaren secured the title this past season by scoring 666 points, beating the second placed Ferrari by 14 points.

---

McLaren driver Lando Norris on winning the constructors' title after 26 years

The Woking-based team secured the constructors' title in the final race of the 2024 season at Abu Dhabi. Lando Norris' victory at the Yas Marina was enough to clinch McLaren's first constructors' title in 26 years, even with Ferrari's second and third finish.

Speaking to the media after the Abu Dhabi GP, Norris said (via BBC Sport):

"It feels wrong to say that McLaren have not won a championship in 26 years. Delivering that for the team has put the biggest smile possible on everyone's face. This is the biggest reward you can give back to everyone who designs the car, builds the car, gets the partners. Everyone has played such a big part, so just proud. Proud is my biggest thing."

McLaren will be back on the track next year, being one of the only teams on the grid that is staying with its 2024 driver line-up of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who finished second and fourth in the drivers' championship, respectively.