F1 world celebrates the life of Eddie Jordan

There were few to ever grace a Formula 1 paddock with as much exuberance and character as Eddie Jordan, who sadly passed away aged 76, and tributes have flooded in from all over the world.

Jordan passed away overnight on March 20 with his family in Cape Town after battling an aggressive form of prostate cancer over the last 12 months.

The loveable Irishman founded Jordan Grand Prix, which punched above its weight for 250 races from 1991 to 2005 before it was sold to Midland and is currently Aston Martin.

Jordan himself was a racer in the 1970s before his own team competed in British Formula 3 and International Formula 3000 in the 1980s when the likes of Martin Brundle and Jean Alesi were successful.

In 1991, Jordan stepped up to the top level and famously gave Michael Schumacher a sudden debut at the Belgian Grand Prix. Impressively, the team scored fifth in its debut season.

Thanks to Rubens Barrichello, the team’s first podium appearance arrived in 1994, but it was not until a famous, soaked Sunday at Spa that the team broke through to its first win.

Ironically, it was a formation 1-2 finish with Damon Hill leading Ralf Schumacher home in the “Buzzin Hornets” liveries.

This success continued into 1999, when Jordan enjoyed its most successful season, finishing third in the constructors.

Heinz-Herald Frentzen, who won in France and Italy, spearheaded the assault, pushing him into world title contention.

In the 2000s, Jordan lost its competitiveness, with just two podiums in its final five seasons, but one of them was Brazil in 2003 when Giancarlo Fisichella overcame a fire and a massive rainstorm to take one of the great unexpected wins.

Despite Jordan leaving F1 at the end of 2005, the distinctive yellow cars remain a fan favourite being a celebrated underdogs and Jordan himself remained a much-loved member of the paddock, commentating for BBC and Channel 4.

As a result, Jordan’s presence remained huge in F1, and many are deeply sad to see him go on the eve of the Chinese Grand Prix.

“RIP my friend. Condolences to each and every one of your lovely family. What a character. What a rock star. What a racer. So many drivers owe you so much, you gave us our chances and believed in us,” Martin Brundle wrote.

“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,” Hill told PA News Agency.

“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.”

“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.

“I went to see Eddie in Chelsea before he left for South Africa and he knew he had a massive battle on his hands. But he never mentioned it, he wasn’t forlorn, yet it became clear that this would not be something he would overcome. It was as serious as it got. And when he invited us round it was his way of saying goodbye.”

“Very sorry to hear Eddie Jordan has sadly passed. 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 One,” Christian Horner wrote.

“His advice, ‘get a good sponsor… welcome to the Piranha Club!’ I was fortunate to overlap with him when I came into Formula One.

“He was in the twilight of his F1 career race wise (indeed he even tried to sell me his team!) but went into other media activities where he was always full of energy and fun to work with. Formula One has lost a legend and we will miss his wit and his Irish charm.”

“We are deeply saddened to hear about the sudden loss of Eddie Jordan,” said F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali.

“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 F1 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.”

“Utterly devastated. EJ has left us. Formula One won’t see the likes of Eddie ever again where a guy with a love for racing can hustle his way into the sport and end up winning races,” said presenter Jake Humphrey, who worked alongside Jordan at the BBC

“More important than race wins though, he won hearts. I will never forget how his face would always light up whenever he saw a Jordan GP jacket, flag or cap, as we travelled the world together years after the team had been sold.”

Image: F1

READ THE LATEST ISSUE OF AUTO ACTION HERE

Don’t forget the print edition of Auto Action available via subscription here. For more of the latest motorsport news, subscribe to AUTO ACTION magazine.