
According to the Associated Press, de Ferran appeared to suffer a heart attack while driving in an automotive event with his son at The Concours Club in Opa-locka, Florida on Friday.
The open-wheel legend began his racing career in British Formula Ford, Opel Lotus and then Formula 3, finishing third in the 1991 British F3 title race behind Rubens Barrichello and David Coulthard. He came back stronger in 1992, taking the title for himself with Paul Stewart Racing.