It’s a very sad day in the world of Irish Motorsport as former F1 team boss Eddie Jordan has passed away following a battle with cancer. He was 76 years of age.
His family released a short statement on his passing, confirming he passed away peacefully in South Africa in the early hours of Thursday morning.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Eddie Jordan OBE, the ex-Formula 1 team owner, TV pundit and entrepreneur.
“He passed away peacefully with family by his side in Cape Town in the early hours of 20 March 2025.”
In 1991, the Irishman founded Jordan Grand Prix, and he quickly became one of the biggest personalities in the F1 paddock. A certain Michael Schumacher made his debut with Jordan that year at Spa, impressing the paddock as he qualified P7. The seven-time World Champion would drive for Benetton in 1992 as his amazing career started with a one-off drive at Jordan.
The team’s first podium came at the 1994 Pacific Grand Prix with Rubens Barrichello. While they had a great car in 1997, the first victory was still elusive.
The incredible heights of 1998 and 1999
After a terrible start to 1998 where Jordan’s first point did not come until the British Grand Prix, Round 9, it all turned around from there. At the chaotic and wild Belgian GP in terrible conditions, the team scored an extraordinary 1-2 as Damon Hill led home Ralf Schumacher.
However, 1999 was the greatest year for Eddie Jordan, his team and Irish Motorsport. With Eddie Irvine contending for the Drivers’ Championship at Ferrari, Jordan also had Heinz-Harald Frentzen going for the title.
The German driver won at Magny-Cours and Monza. He was on course to win at the Nurburgring until his car broke down on pit exit following his pit stop.
In the end he fell short of the championship but P3 in both standings was a remarkable season for the driver and team.
As the years went by, it became harder and harder for Jordan to compete against the big guns in the days when the top teams could spend endless amounts of money.
One more amazing victory
Before selling the team ahead of the 2005 season, Eddie Jordan had one last hurrah.
At the 2003 Brazilian GP, Giancarlo Fisichella won the race in the craziest of circumstances — and it only was officially confirmed a few days after as Kimi Räikkönen had initially been awarded the win just to confusion about the timing of the red flag for Fernando Alonso’s big crash.
Punditry duties
In more recent times, Eddie Jordan worked as a pundit for BBC and Channel 4. The Irishman was never afraid to give out strong opinions on the drivers and teams, regularly asking the tough questions nobody else would.
He also had a podcast with David Coulthard in the last couple of years called Formula for Success. The pair worked together at BBC and Channel 4 and formed a good relationship.
Jordan also played a key role in helping Adrian Newey move to Aston Martin as he worked as his manager.
Stefano Domenicali, F1 CEO
“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 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.”
