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Thursday, December 27 Mixed feeling about de Ferran's move Here's what users had to say about Gil de Ferran, his past season and his future prospects:
Gil is a true professional and he will soldier on for Roger. But after about eight or nine ovals in a row (let alone 15) he will probably be pretty bored. Only Indy will capture his imagination and Texas will be an adrenaline rush. I agree with Robin Miller, he'll only stay with Penske in 2003 if nothing decent is available in CART. Rick Dudley Seattle, Wash.
While having considerably more talent than anyone else in the IRL (Helio excepted), I think it will be a tough year for de Ferran. He has everything to lose and nothing to gain. As the year progresses, I think his desire to get back to real racing will get the better of him. While the consummate professional, motivation will be difficult this year. Race fans are being deprived of seeing this massively talented driver in the much more diverse and competitive CART series. John Harper Fresno, Calif.
I wish Gil didn't have to toe the company line on this issue. I'll bet when he signed the three-year deal with Penske at the end of the 1999 season that a move to the IRL was never discussed. De Ferran also takes away a seat from a deserving sprint car driver. Tim Margenau Madison, Wis.
The guy should follow his heart and stay in CART, not sell out like a chump. Ryan Aubry Santa Barbara, Calif.
Terrible shame to lose the likes of de Ferran and Castroneves to the circle chasing IRL. It only proves one thing, Penske is in it for Penske, and Penske will win big in cheap cars and put more money in his pocket. Del Young White Horse, Yukon, Canada
Anybody with at least a little racing knowledge knows that the IRL is a second rate league compared to CART. To de Ferran it has to be like being sent to the minor leagues to compete with has-beens and wannabes. James Quintero Long Beach, Calif.
CART is where Gil belongs. He and Helio have too much talents to be in the IRL! It is an insult for them to be in the IRL! James Quintero Long Beach, Calif.
So what would Derek Jeter think if Steinbrenner made him go play AAA ball? The whole thing is about the ridiculous tobacco laws in this country. Marlboro couldn't stand it when their team made a triumphant return and the laws wouldn't allow them to put their logo on the sides of Penske's cars. Gil doesn't want to be part of the IRL and neither does Roger. Marlboro wants to beat Indy and nobody cares about the rest of the series -- it is decidedly little league. Why doesn't someone in the sport's media do a story from the tobacco law perspective? Is it not politically correct to show how the legal product of tobacco is treated in this country? Bill Schubert Grand Rapids, Mich.
De Ferran isn't an oval master by any means, but Indy '01 proved that Penske machines outclass the IRL field by a good margin and that Gil is good enough to do the job. Prediction: Gil and Helio finish 1-2 (not necessarily in that order) in every race and move back to CART in 2003. Ank Patel Austin, Texas
The CART/IRL situation reminds me of wrestling. WWF or WCW? With racers ( wrestlers) changing around trying to feel out who will be the dominator in popularity. Will de Ferran do well? Yes, but he knows a CART title is achievable. Seems like IRL is taking some of CART's steam. Oval tracks and deals with ISC give IRL an edge. Penske knows this. Calvin Rowland Lisle, Ill.
Gil is a methodical driver. In that way, I think the longer events will suit him well (Indy, Michigan, Fontana). Having said that, I think he'll be near the front everywhere.
The CART/IRL situation is probably within two years or so of some sort of resolution, either through detente or CART's attrition. However, those two years or so are going to be pretty rocky, with teams folding and turmoil aplenty. Thus I see Gil riding it out with Penske. Penske's resilience will see him atop whatever heap remains, and I think de Ferran's smart enough to realize that.
I am truly saddened by Penske's move to the IRL. De Ferran and Castroneves are two of the best overall racers in the world. Road, street, oval -- they both have the complete package. It is sad that sponsorship money has to come before competition. Now team Penske will spend there time going in circles. No forward progress. What a shame. Eric Pass Shakopee, Minn.
I think that because Gil de Ferran is so talented, he can handle an all oval series. It was great watching him in CART on different tracks, but I think he will improve on ovals and probably end up driving better than half of the people already in the IRL. If he improves to a certain extent, he and Helio have a chance of winning most of the IRL races unless they have mechanical problems. I hope both drivers will continue to be competitive in the IRL for the next few seasons. Natalie Krause Indianapolis, Ind.
Here's my take: With only two races in the IRL cars under his belt, Gil needs to learn how to quickly find the winning setup on race weekends. He's proven himself capable of winning on ovals, although he will have to avoid the temptation to block during the race, a maneuver that's legal in CART but not in the IRL. Chris Brown Antioch, Calif.  Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories
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