SEBRING, Fla. — Former Indianapolis 500 winner Gil de Ferran is returning to the North American motorsports stage as a team owner — and a driver.
De Ferran Motorsport Engineering is the newest Acura entrant in the LMP2 division of the American Le Mans Series. De Ferran, who won 12 open-wheel races in Champ Car and the Indy Racing League, will be the primary driver of the team’s Acura ARX-01b sports car. A co-driver will be named at a later date.
Acura Motorsports will enter a fourth Acura ARX-01b sports car in the LMP2 division of the 2008 American Le Mans Series, company officials announced today. 
Headquarters for de Ferran Motorsport Engineering will be in the Indianapolis area, and veteran racing executive John Anderson has been named the team’s general manager.
“It is extremely exciting to be involved in the new Acura Motorsports program,” said de Ferran. “The American Le Mans Series has a tremendous combination of technology and fierce competition.  In addition, I am so eager to get back into the driver’s seat and on the track. The racing in the ALMS is spectacular. I know this program will be a challenge for me both on and off the track. Having John Anderson on board is a great start for our organization, and we are working hard to put the remaining pieces together now.”
De Ferran ventures into team ownership after serving as Sporting Director for the Honda Formula One racing team from 2005 to 2007. His most recent competition in a race car came at Texas Motor Speedway Oct. 12, 2003.
“Gil de Ferran is another ‘A List’ name being added to the American Le Mans Series that resonates throughout motorsports, joining the likes of Roger Penske, Bobby Rahal, Michael Andretti and many others,” said Scott Atherton, ALMS president. “His stellar career as both a championship-winning driver in CART and key player in Formula 1 for BAR-Honda exemplifies excellence in our industry. There is no doubt in my mind that he will be successful in both roles with Acura. We welcome him into the American Le Mans Series paddock with open arms and eagerly await his debut as a driver and team owner later this season.”