De Ferran eyeing role with Penske in IRL

Gil de Ferran, who resigned as BAR Honda Formula One sports director in July, will be in town through the weekend to watch the inaugural Detroit Indy Grand Prix presented by Firestone.

"The track and the whole facility is at a whole new level from what we used to run," de Ferran said. "I think Roger (Penske) has done a great job. The paddock looks beautiful and the track looks great. The line of sights are much-improved."

De Ferran said he has been "vacationing" with his family most of the summer at their Florida home.

"Basically, I've been just looking after my affairs," he said. "This is the perfect weekend for me to come here to see my friends and how Team Penske does."

Do his future plans include the IndyCar Series in some fashion?

"I've learned you never say never," he said without elaborating.