A Legend’s Final Lap
Shanghai—Eddie Jordan, the larger-than-life former Formula 1 team owner and beloved TV personality, passed away at 76, his family announced Thursday. The Irishman, who’d been fighting a fierce battle with bladder and prostate cancer that spread to his spine and pelvis, died peacefully in Cape Town, surrounded by loved ones, in the early hours of March 20, 2025.
“EJ was a whirlwind of charisma, energy, and that unmistakable Irish charm,” his family said in a statement released through London Irish, the rugby club where he was patron. “He’s left a huge void, but the memories he gave us will keep us smiling through the tears.”
The Rockstar of F1
Jordan wasn’t just a name in motorsport—he was a vibe. His Jordan Grand Prix team roared onto the F1 scene in 1991, bringing bold moves, flashy liveries, and a scrappy spirit that punched way above its weight until he sold it in 2005. From that Silverstone garage sprang four race wins and a legacy that lives on as today’s Aston Martin squad. After hanging up his team owner hat, “EJ” slid into TV punditry, winning over fans with his wit, wild shirts, and no-filter takes.
F1 boss Stefano Domenicali summed it up: “Eddie was a giant in our sport’s story. He lit up rooms, kept it real, and left a mark that won’t fade. We’ll miss him big-time.”
Schumacher’s Launchpad
Jordan’s sharp eye for talent gave the world Michael Schumacher. Back in ’91, when his regular driver Bertrand Gachot landed in jail after a tussle with a London cabbie, Jordan tossed the keys to a young German nobody’d heard of. Schumacher’s one-race stint with Jordan—qualifying seventh and wowing the paddock—kickstarted a career that snagged seven world titles. Flavio Briatore, who nabbed Schumacher for Benetton after that debut, called Jordan “a true gem” whose grin lit up F1 for decades.
A Team That Defied the Odds
Jordan Grand Prix wasn’t just about Schumacher. Damon Hill’s rain-soaked 1-2 finish with Ralf Schumacher at Belgium ’98 was pure EJ magic. Heinz-Harald Frentzen’s two wins in ’99 made Jordan a title contender, and Giancarlo Fisichella’s chaotic Brazil ’03 victory cemented their rep as giant-killers. “He built this team from grit and hustle,” said Aston Martin’s Andy Cowell. “It’s the foundation we stand on today.”
Beyond the Track
Even after selling his team, Jordan stayed in the game. He shepherded design genius Adrian Newey from Red Bull to Aston Martin last year, proving his deal-making chops never dulled. Off-track, he led a crew that bought London Irish rugby club out of the ditch, showing his heart was as big as his hustle.
Last year, battling cancer, he got real on his podcast: “Guys, don’t mess around—get tested. Life’s too short to play shy. Look after yourselves.” It was classic EJ—blunt, caring, and all about living loud.
A Lasting Echo
Eddie Jordan’s gone, but his echo’s everywhere—in the F1 paddock, on TV screens, and in the stories fans swap over beers. He turned $100 dreams into a million-dollar legacy, and for U.S. motorsport lovers, he’s the guy who proved you don’t need a silver spoon to steal the show. Rest easy, EJ—you’ll be missed.
