Andrew Benson
BBC F1 correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

On the last few years of Jordan Grand Prix

Drivers came and went, there were fights over engine supply, and the money began to dry up. But there was one more win - for Giancarlo Fisichella in the chaotically wet Brazilian Grand Prix of 2003.

McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen was declared the winner after a massive crash brought the race to a halt, but the officials had missed that Fischella had actually been leading at the crucial point - and the trophy was handed over at a ceremony at the following race in Imola.

Financial troubles worsened in 2004 and late in the year Ecclestone introduced Jordan to the Canadian businessman Alex Shnaider. Six weeks later, in January 2005, the team was sold for $60m.

The deal made Jordan secure for life, but on the day he signed it he was in tears in the office of commercial director Ian Phillips, who had been with the team from the start.

A statement from Formula 1 CEO, Stefano Domenicali: "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."

Image source, Getty Images

Formula 1 team Williams released a statement on X and wrote: "Everyone at Atlassian Williams Racing is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Eddie Jordan.

"A true icon of motorsport, Eddie’s charisma and passion left an indelible mark on Formula 1. As a team owner he nurtured some of the sport’s greatest drivers and boldly led an independent team in a golden era for the sport.

"His one-of-a-kind energy and insight as a broadcaster made him a beloved figure on our TV screens.

"Our thoughts and love are with his family, many friends and the F1 community. He will be greatly missed."

While Eddie Jordan is best known for his exploits in Formula 1, his passion for Irish sport went far beyond Formula 1.

Jordan was often seen at Republic of Ireland football matches, including this one in Tehran for the second leg of the 2002 World Cup play-off with Iran, which saw the Irish qualify for the finals in South Korea and Japan.

He was also close with golfer Paul McGinley, and joined in the celebrations with his wife, Marie, after the Irish golfer won the Volvo Masters in 2005.

Last, but by no means least, he was a big supporter of Irish motorsport and he's pictured with late Irish rally driver Craig Breen in 2011.

Image source, Inpho

Image source, Inpho

Image source, Inpho

Formula 1 driver Valtteri Bottas wrote on X: "Rest in peace Eddie Jordan. Thank you for all the laughs over the years, all the good things you’ve done in your life, and in F1."

Andrew Benson
BBC F1 correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

At a wet Belgian Grand Prix in 1998, after Michael Schumacher crashed out in his Ferrari after colliding with David Coulthard's McLaren, the Jordan drivers found themselves running one-two, Hill in the lead. Jordan avoided a potential on-track drama by telling them to hold position, but created an off-track one.

The decision led to a visit from an unhappy Michael Schumacher to tell Jordan he had been unfair not to let his brother race for the win - ironic, considering the German's status as Ferrari's number one.

For 1999, Ralf Schumacher was tempted away by Williams, and their driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen went the other way. It became Jordan's most successful season.

As Hill faded into uncompetitiveness, Frentzen won two races and emerged as an unlikely title contender, but a bizarre retirement when leading the European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring ended their hopes.

The team had found a clever - and dubious - way to use anti-stall as launch control. But Frentzen forgot to turn off the system as he left the pits from his stop for fuel and tyres, and that triggered a safety system that cut the engine. Jordan were never to be so competitive again.

Mercedes Formula 1 driver George Russell posted on X and wrote: "A very sad day. We have lost a true legend with a voice unlike any other both in and out of the sport. My thoughts and condolences are with Eddie’s family and loved ones at this time.

"Eddie, you will be missed by all of us and your impact will always be felt. We race this weekend for you."

BBC Radio 5 Live

Jake Humphrey, a friend and colleague of Eddie Jordan, added on BBC Radio 5 Live: "We will never see the likes of Eddie Jordan ever again. I remember him telling me a story once, this is in the days before everything was televised, he had two sponsors.

He needed the money from both the sponsors to keep the team going so he put one sponsor on one side of the track, one sponsor on the other. Neither of them saw the full car, he put one sponsor on one side and the other on the other.

So as the car comes down the straight he said 'look at that car covered in your branding. He was running between the two sponsors, neither of them aware there was another sponsor on the other side. Just to get through.

Image source, Getty Images

Formula 1 team Sauber have said on X: "Everyone at Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber is deeply saddened to hear of Eddie Jordan’s sudden passing.

"Eddie was a unique character who defined an unforgettable era in Formula 1, driven by an extraordinary passion for our sport. He will be greatly missed.

"The thoughts of everyone at the team are with Eddie’s family, friends, and colleagues at this difficult time."

Whether it was playing the drums on stage or being dunked in the pool at Monaco by four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel, you could always rely on Eddie Jordan to be the life and soul of the party.

Image source, Inpho

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

In the 250 races Jordan Grand Prix participated in, the team were at the top of the podium on four occasions.

The first was won by Damon Hill at the 1998 Belgian Grand Prix.

German driver, Heinz-Harald Frentzen won the second and third in 1999 in France and Italy.

The team's last win was in 2003, when Giancarlo Fisichella won the Brazil Grand Prix.

Jordan had 19 top three finishes.

Michael Emons
BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

With Jordan running first and second at the 1998 Belgian Grand Prix, team boss Eddie Jordan agreed with Damon Hill's radio message and insisted that Ralf Schumacher, who was leaving the team at the end of the season, could not overtake Hill. The German, reluctantly and after a short period of radio silence, finally acknowledged the order.

Hill took the win, his 22nd and final victory of his career, while Jordan skipped down the pits in celebration of not just a maiden win but also a stunning one-two.

"I looked like a complete idiot," Jordan said years later, calling the day "one he would never forget". "The euphoria, the excitement it just took over."

Michael Schumacher, meanwhile, was still simmering after his earlier crash with David Coulthard, and sought out the Jordan team boss - who gave the German his F1 debut seven years previously - to complain about the treatment of his younger brother.

Image source, Getty Images

Michael Emons
BBC Sport

The 1998 Belgian Grand Prix was one of the most chaotic in F1 history and ended with a maiden win for Jordan - one of the sport's underdogs.

It was an enthralling event that featured a 13-car pile-up, spectacular crashes, a furious pit-lane bust-up and horrendous weather from start to finish.

Image source, F1

Image source, F1

With only eight cars still running, the Jordan team, still winless after 125 grands prix, found themselves vaulted into first and second place, with 1996 world champion Damon Hill out in front from team-mate Ralf Schumacher.

Concerned they would end up losing Jordan's first ever F1 win - never mind a one-two - Hill radioed the team to say they could continue to race if they liked but that it would make more sense to back off.

• Read our feature on how Jordan gained their first ever win in F1

Andrew Benson
BBC F1 correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Jordan earned himself a tidy packet by selling Eddie Irvine to Ferrari to join Schumacher at the end of 1995, and soon a series of dominoes started to fall that made Jordan major contenders for a while.

Jordan had taken works Peugeot engines for 1995 when they were cast off by McLaren after just one season. That helped them attract a major title sponsorship from tobacco company Benson & Hedges. Funding changed from being desperately sought to something that could be used for investment.

For 1997, Jordan wanted Hill, after he was dumped by Williams despite winning the world title at the end of 1996. Hill demurred, and made the error of joining Arrows instead.

But he did sign for 1998, replacing Giancarlo Fisichella as the team-mate of Ralf Schumacher, younger brother of Michael, with whom Hill had fought tense title battles in 1994 and 1995.

Along with Hill, Jordan had also secured a supply of Mugen Honda engines, more powerful and reliable than the Peugeots, and the services of highly regarded designer Mike Gascoyne.

After a disappointing start, Anderson left mid-season, and the team began to gain in competitiveness.

From humble beginnings in the junior racing, Eddie Jordan worked his way up to Formula 1.

He become one of the best known personalities in the sport, and was still a big presence in the Formula 1 paddock after selling his team in 2005.

Image source, Inpho

Image source, Inpho

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Radio 5 Live

Jake Humphrey, a friend and colleague of Eddie Jordan, has paid tribute on BBC Radio 5 Live: "It is hard to talk about because I woke up this morning and got a message from one of Eddie's children to say he had died.

"I suppose some would think 'why do you want to come on the radio and be a blubbering mess?' But this guy was so special that I think people need to talk about him, remember him, celebrate him.

"He won races which was remarkable but more importantly than that, he won hearts. People fell in love with what Jordan Grand Prix was.

"Not just the bright yellow colour scheme but Eddie was known as this larger than life character who had this incredible verve for life and business."

Image source, Getty Images

Alex Dunne, Irish Formula 2 driver, on Instagram: An Irish motorsport legend, rest in peace Eddie.

Micheal Martin, Taoiseach of the Republic of Ireland, on X: Greatly saddened at the passing of Eddie Jordan. Eddie lived life to the full, facing his final days with the same courage and tenacity displayed throughout many years as an entrepreneur, F1 pioneer and TV pundit. There were few like him. My sympathies to his family and friends.