Eddie Jordan, the former F1 team owner and beloved TV pundit, passed away at 76 after a courageous fight with prostate and bladder cancer.
His family confirmed the news, revealing that Jordan died peacefully surrounded by loved ones in Cape Town in the early hours of March 20.
Jordan had disclosed late in 2024 that he had been battling the illness for much of that year, choosing to keep his diagnosis under wraps while undergoing treatment.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Eddie Jordan OBE,” his family said in a statement. “He leaves behind an incredible legacy in Formula 1 and beyond.”
Hailing from Ireland, Jordan etched his name into F1 history as the founder of Jordan Grand Prix, a team that roared onto the grid in 1991 and raced until 2005. They gave a young Michael Schumacher his F1 debut at the 1991 Belgian Grand Prix, a moment that sparked the career of a future legend.
Before stepping into F1, Jordan’s teams had already tasted success in junior categories, most notably in 1983 when they powered Martin Brundle to a memorable British F3 title fight against Ayrton Senna.
The big breakthrough for the Jordan Grand Prix came in 1998 when Damon Hill led Ralf Schumacher to a stunning one-two finish at a rain-soaked Belgian Grand Prix. Jordan had issued a firm order for Schumacher to hold position behind Hill, securing their first-ever victory.
A year later, in 1999, they mounted a surprise title challenge with Heinz-Harald Frentzen, who clinched wins in France and Italy. Frentzen was in contention for the European Grand Prix too, only for a mechanical failure to derail his charge, leaving him third in the championship standings. That season marked their peak, as fortunes soon turned.
The loss of a Honda engine deal ahead of 2002 hit Jordan Grand Prix hard. By 2005, Jordan sold the team to Russian businessman Alex Shnaider. They raced one final season under the Jordan name before transforming into Midland F1 in 2006. Over the years, the outfit evolved through iterations such as Spyker, Force India, and Racing Point, eventually becoming today’s Aston Martin squad.
Jordan also played a key role early on, managing technical maestro Adrian Newey during his stint at Silverstone.
Off the track, Jordan became a familiar voice to fans. When the BBC reclaimed UK F1 broadcast rights in 2009, they brought him on as a pundit alongside David Coulthard, with Jake Humphrey and later Suzi Perry hosting. His sharp insights shone in 2012 when he predicted Lewis Hamilton’s blockbuster move from McLaren to Mercedes weeks before it was official.
After the BBC stepped back in 2016, Jordan joined Channel 4’s coverage and even took a brief spin presenting Top Gear post-Clarkson, Hammond, and May. In 2023, he teamed up with Coulthard again for the hit podcast Formula for Success.
Jordan leaves behind his wife Marie and their four children. As F1 prepares for the Chinese Grand Prix on March 23, 2025, at the 5.451-kilometre Shanghai International Circuit, the paddock will feel the absence of a man who shaped the sport with grit, flair, and unforgettable moments.
