Former F1 team owner, TV pundit and businessman, Eddie Jordan has passed away at the age of 76. His family announced his death at his home in South Africa after he received a cancer diagnosis last year. 

The Irishman was a well-liked and respected figure in the Formula 1 world. He was responsible for giving many young drivers their break in the sport, including Michael Schumacher and he defied the odds with his Jordan team, scoring success when up against better established and much better funded competitors. 

World Champion Damon Hill was in the driving seat when the Jordan team won its first of four Grand Prix wins. He commented, “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. He left his mark on the sport. He came from nothing, he worked his way up by using his cunning and guile.” 

Damon added, “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.”

Many in Ireland will recall Eddie from his days as a club racer. In 1971 he won the Irish Kart racing championship and was progressing through the racing ranks as an F3 driver, when an accident ended his competitive driving ambitions. 

Undeterred and with a true passion for the sport, Eddie moved into team management and ownership in 1979. Here he provided opportunities for many young Irish drivers, including Eddie Irvine and enjoyed a British F3 title in 1987, with the then young British driver Johnny Herbert. He also kick started the careers of drivers such as Jean Alesi and Martin Brundle.

Eddie moved up to F1 in the early 90’s and despite a lack of funding, the team showed steady improvement and occasional flashes of brilliance. His proudest moment was perhaps the team’s first win at Spa in 1998, with Hill and teammate Ralf Schumacher taking a 1-2 in the rain. 

The next year was the team’s top season in terms of points with Heinz-Harald Frentzen, winning two races and the team finish third in the championship. 

Eddie eventually bowed out of ownership and sold his team in 2006, for a very considerable profit, which showed his business acumen. The team has since gone through various incarnations and is now under Aston Martin ownership. 

Even after the sale, Eddie still played a key role in the F1 world and was especially popular as a straight talking pundit on F1 TV coverage and on TV Top Gear. He also took on various management roles including representation for top F1 designer Adrian Newey. 

Indeed Eddie continued to wheel and deal right up to the end. Last month despite his illness he led a consortium that purchased London Irish Rugby Club.