Eddie Jordan, former Formula 1 team owner and media personality, has passed away at the age of 76, according to a statement from his family.
Known simply as “EJ,” Jordan ran his own F1 team during the 1990s and 2000s. His humor, outspoken opinions, and bold fashion choices made him a popular TV pundit after selling the team in 2005.
Jordan had been undergoing treatment for what he described as a “quite aggressive” cancer that affected his bladder and prostate and spread to his spine and pelvis.
A statement from his family announced that he passed away peacefully in Cape Town early Thursday, surrounded by family.
“EJ brought an abundance of charisma, energy, and Irish charm wherever he went. His absence leaves a huge hole, but he leaves us with countless fond memories to cherish,” the statement read.
F1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali, who worked at Ferrari when Jordan owned his team, expressed that Jordan was “a key figure in an era of F1 and will be greatly missed.”
“With his boundless energy, he always knew how to make people smile while staying genuine and brilliant at all times.”
Irish businessman Jordan ran his own racing team in lower-level series before making the jump to F1 in 1991, giving future seven-time champion Michael Schumacher his first race that year.
Christian Horner, who was a young driver aspiring to join F1 at the time and is now Red Bull’s team principal, recalled the advice Jordan gave him in 1991: “Get a good sponsor … welcome to the Piranha Club!” Horner added that F1 has “lost a legend.”
Jordan gave Schumacher his chance in F1 after regular driver Bertrand Gachot was imprisoned for assaulting a London taxi driver. Schumacher, then 22, raced for Jordan in just one event before Benetton signed him under controversial circumstances.
“I am deeply saddened by the loss of Eddie Jordan. He was a remarkable individual who, for decades, always brought a smile to everyone in the F1 paddock,” said Flavio Briatore, who ran Benetton at the time and became a close friend of Jordan. Briatore, now an executive adviser at Alpine, added, “I have fond memories of the moments spent with Eddie, both on and off the track, and his presence in the F1 world will be greatly missed.”
Over the years, several drivers raced for Jordan, including Damon Hill, who won the 1996 championship with Williams and gave Jordan its first victory in heavy rain in 1998, future Ferrari driver Rubens Barrichello, and Heinz-Harald Frentzen, who finished third in the championship for Jordan in 1999.
Jordan Grand Prix won four races before Jordan sold the team in 2005. After several ownership changes and rebrands, the team now competes under the name Aston Martin.
“A true motorsport legend, Eddie Jordan was a one-of-a-kind, wonderful person, and a charismatic leader who founded this team and took it to F1 in 1991,” Aston Martin team principal Andy Cowell said in a statement. “His vision laid the foundation for us, and his legacy will endure within the motorsport community.”
Jordan also served as manager for renowned car designer Adrian Newey when he left Red Bull for Aston Martin last year.
When he disclosed his cancer diagnosis, Jordan used the opportunity to encourage listeners of his podcast to take action on any health concerns they may have.
“This is a message for everyone listening—don’t procrastinate or ignore it,” he said. “Go get tested, because in life, you have opportunities. Don’t be foolish or shy. Take care of your body, folks.”
