Formula 1 Mourns The Loss Of 'Chaotic Genius' Eddie Jordan At 76

Forbes

20-03-2025

MONTE-CARLO, MONACO - MAY 23: Eddie Jordan walks in the Paddock during previews ahead of the F1 ... [+] Grand Prix of Monaco at Circuit de Monaco on May 23, 2024 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by)
The Formula 1 world mourned the loss of Eddie Jordan on Thursday after the flamboyant former team owner passed away aged 76.
The Irishman was diagnosed with bladder and prostate cancer last year and in December revealed the 'aggressive' disease had spread to his spine.
'It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Eddie Jordan OBE the ex-Formula 1 team owner, TV pundit and entrepreneur,' his family said in a statement.
"He passed away peacefully with family by his side in Cape Town in the early hours of 20th March 2025 at the age of 76, after battling with an aggressive form of prostate cancer for the past 12 months.
"He was working until the last, having communicated on St Patrick's Day, about his ambitions for London Irish Rugby Football Club, of which he had recently become Patron."
One of the most colorful and outspoken characters in the paddock, Jordan made his Formula 1 debut in 1991 with his eponymous team.
In the same year, Jordan, who was born in Dublin, famously gave Michael Schumacher his first start in Formula 1, with the German replacing Bertrand Gachot for the Belgian Grand Prix after the latter had punched a London taxi driver.
Like his future Ferrari teammate, Eddie Irvine also made his Formula 1 debut with Jordan as did Schumacher's brother Ralf, who in 1998 along with Damon Hill secured the team's best-ever finish in Formula 1.
Eddie Jordan, Ralf Schumacher, Damon Hill, Grand Prix of Belgium, Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, 30 ... [+] August 1998. Jordan team owner Eddie Jordan celebrating victory in the 1998 Grand Prix of Belgium where his cars finished first and second in the hands of Damon Hill and teammate Ralf Schumacher. (Photo by Paul-)
Hill, a world champion with Williams two years earlier, won the Belgian Grand Prix ahead of Schumacher, securing Jordan's first win in the sport.
'Eddie was chaotic and a genius all at the same time. He had the energy of 100 men. He created so much joy and had a massive heart. There will only ever be one EJ,' the Briton said on Thursday.
'He left his mark on the sport. He came from nothing, he worked his way up by using his cunning and guile.
"And by his own admission, it wasn't because of his good looks but because he was undeniable.
'He had a way of getting himself into your life. He was extraordinary and brilliant. He had a lovely family and he enriched life all around him. My heart goes out to them. The sport has lost a true legend and we have lost a true friend.'
Three more wins followed, with Heinz-Harald Frentzen winning the French and Italian Grands Prix in 1999, as Jordan finished third in the constructors' championship - its best result in 15 seasons that spanned 250 races.
Jordan's last win came in 2003, when Giancarlo Fisichella won the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Along with Jarno Trulli and Rubens Barrichello, the Italian was one of a series of drivers for whom Jordan represented a significant staging post in their careers.
Jean Alesi, Johnny Herbert and Hill, meanwhile, all competed for Jordan in the now-defunct Formula 3000.
'EJ brought an abundance of charisma, energy and Irish charm everywhere he went,' Jordan's family said.
'We all have a huge hole missing without his presence. He will be missed by so many people, but he leaves us with tonnes of great memories to keep us smiling through our sorrow.'
A keen rock fan, Jordan played the drums in his band Eddie & The Robbers and was great friend with former Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.
'Eddie was a hugely colourful character who I first met in 1991 as a young driver at his then new factory after his first year in Formula 1,' said Red Bull team principal Christian Horner.
'His advice was 'Get a good sponsor... welcome to the Piranha Club'. Formula 1 has lost a legend and we will miss his wit and his Irish charm.'
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali added: "We are deeply saddened to hear about the sudden loss of Eddie Jordan.
"With his inexhaustible energy he always knew how to make people smile, remaining genuine and brilliant at all times.
"Eddie has been a protagonist of an era of Formula 1 and he will be deeply missed. In this moment of sorrow, my thoughts and those of the entire Formula 1 family are with his family and loved ones'.
27 Jun 1999: Heinz-Harald Frentzen of the Jordan team celebrates and is congratulated by owner ... [+] Eddie Jordan after winning the 1999 French Grand Prix held at the Nevers Circuit in Magny-Cours, France. The race finished in a win for Heinz-Harald Frentzenof the Jordan team. \ Mandatory Credit: Michael Cooper /Allsport
Jordan won the Irish kart championship at his first attempt in 1971, before an accident in Formula 3 five years later derailed his dreams of becoming a racing driver.
In 1979 he set his sight on team ownership and founded Eddie Jordan Racing, competing in Formula Ford, Formula 3000 and Formula 3, where he won the British title with Herbert in 1987.
Four years later came the big leap to Formula 1, where Jordan swiftly established himself as one of the most recognizable and loved figures in the sport.
His seemingly extraordinary penchant for pulling off deals coupled with a tendency to always speak his mind in public ensured Jordan punched way above its weight in Formula 1 until 2006.
With cigarette giant Benson & Hedges pulling his sponsorship after Formula 1 banned tobacco advertising, Jordan felt he could no longer keep up with his rivals and sold the team to the Midland Group for $60m.
The team went through a series of rebranding before eventually becoming Aston Martin three years ago.
By then, Jordan had gone through a number of career changes himself, becoming a typically outspoken analyst in Britain for BBC Sport and later Channel 4.
Jordan and Aston Martin's paths crossed again last year, when he negotiated Adrian Newey's shock move to team from Red Bull to the tune of a $40m-a-year-deal in his role as the engineer's agent.
There will quite simply never be another Eddie Jordan, who leaves Marie, his wife of 42 years, and four children behind.