Inspired by the success of fellow Brazilian Emerson Fittipaldi,[2] de Ferran began his career in kart racing in the 1980s.

[4] Driving for Edenbridge Racing, de Ferran finished the 1991 British Formula Three season in third, only behind Rubens Barrichello and David Coulthard.

[4][5] For the 1992 season, de Ferran moved to Paul Stewart Racing and won the title, scoring seven wins in the process.

[13][14] In 1996, de Ferran was a consistent challenger but only scored one win, at Cleveland's Burke Lakefront Airport street circuit, avenging the previous season's loss at the same race.

[5] Despite rumours that he would be a driver for the new Stewart Grand Prix Formula One team, de Ferran remained in the U.S. for 1997, joining Walker Racing.

[17][18] He looked on course to win the season opener at Homestead-Miami Speedway but was knocked out of the lead by Dennis Vitolo, who was a lap down from de Ferran.

[19] At the Grand Prix of Portland he lost out to PacWest Racing's Mark Blundell in the closest finish in CART history.

[21][22] In 1999, the long-awaited breakthrough finally came as de Ferran beat Juan Pablo Montoya at Portland International Raceway to take his first win since 1996 and the Walker Racing team's first since early 1995.

[45] In its debut season, de Ferran Motorsports took four front row grid positions, led six races and scored three podium finishes in just eight starts.

[46] In 2009, de Ferran Motorsports was chosen by Honda to develop the Acura ARX-02a for competition in the LMP1 division of the American Le Mans Series.

[51][52] Prior to the start of the 2010 IZOD IndyCar season, de Ferran merged his team with Luczo Dragon Racing, a team started by Jay Penske, the son of de Ferran's former boss Roger Penske, and Steve Luczo, a successful technology leader and racing enthusiast.

[58] In 2011 de Ferran Dragon racing closed its doors after lacking sponsorships, having attempted to stay operational for the new season.

[60] He lived in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with his English wife Angela (who worked for Paul Stewart Racing)[61] and their two children.