Jennie Gow
F1 pit-lane reporter on BBC Radio 5 Live

I don't think people around him thought it was coming so soon. It comes with immense sadness.

It was an aggressive form of prostate cancer. He died in the early hours of Thursday morning.

From the beginning of his motorsport career, when he set-up Jordan Grand Prix in 1991, he had all the best people around him. He surrounded himself with them until his death.

He was instrumental in so many careers. He caused so many news stories because he was fundamental to the F1 and how it ran.

Image source, Getty Images

Feel free to send us your tributes and memories of Eddie Jordan via #bbcf1 on X (formerly Twitter), WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply).

Andrew Benson
BBC F1 correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Eddie Jordan was known for his flamboyant lifestyle and his many showbiz friends. He also played the drums in a band called Eddie & The Robbers, a nod to his reputation as a colourful businessman.

Jordan famously gave Michael Schumacher his F1 debut at the 1991 Belgian Grand Prix, before the German was poached by the Benetton team for the following race in Italy.

After a difficult few years struggling for funds, Jordan landed a major sponsorship deal with the cigarette brand Benson & Hedges for 1996, securing the funds needed to develop into a front-runner.

By mid-1998, the team were challenging the top teams, and Jordan's first victory was scored by Damon Hill in a soaking wet 1998 Belgian Grand Prix.

German Heinz-Harald Frentzen, who had replaced Hill at Williams for 1997, won two further races after going to Jordan in 1999 and briefly fought for the title.

Jordan's final win was by Giancarlo Fisichella at the 2003 Brazilian Grand Prix, a victory that was first given to McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen after a chaotic wet race before Jordan appeared to establish that the Italian was the correct winner on results countback.

The team was sold to the Russian-Canadian businessman Alex Shnaider in 2005, becoming Midland Racing. It has since been known as Force India, Racing Point and is now Aston Martin.

Jordan's last big involvement in F1 was to broker the deal for design legend Adrian Newey to join Aston Martin this year.

The two had become friends and Jordan acted as Newey's manager throughout negotiations with various teams after he decided to leave Red Bull.

Williams Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz has posted on X and wrote: "Extremely sad to learn that Eddie has passed away. A true icon and loved character of our sport. Passionate, loyal and truly one of a kind. He will be dearly missed. R.I.P."

Image source, Getty Images

The statement from Eddie Jordan's family said: "He was working until the last, having communicated on St Patrick's Day about his ambitions for London Irish Rugby Football Club, of which he had recently become patron.

"Eddie and Jordan Grand Prix were known for their rock and roll image, bringing a fun and exciting element to F1, as well as consistently performing above their weight.

"Many successful F1 drivers owe their career breaks to Eddie, and world champions including Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill drove for him.

"EJ brought an abundance of charisma, energy and Irish charm everywhere he went. We all have a huge hole missing without his presence.

"He will be missed by so many people, but he leaves us with tonnes of great memories to keep us smiling through our sorrow."

Image source, Getty Images

Former Formula 1 presenter Jake Humphrey has posted on X: "Utterly devastated. EJ has left us.

"Formula 1 won’t see the likes of Eddie ever again where a guy with a love for racing can hustle his way into the sport and end up winning races.

"More important than race wins though, he won hearts. I will never forget how his face would always light up whenever he saw a Jordan GP jacket, flag or cap… as we travelled the world together years after the team had been sold.

"His greatest achievements were Mikki, Zoe, Kyle and Zak. His incredible four kids who share his spirit. His wife Marie is one of the strongest, most wonderful women I have ever met.

"The four years we spent together hosting F1 on the BBC were the greatest of my career. Wing-walking, scooter riding, car driving madness that I know he loved deeply.

"His incredible spirit and love of life lives on in me, and my children who were lucky enough to meet him and hear all about him.

"Eddie lit up a room whenever he entered it. That is a lesson for us all - be the light in the room. I was lucky enough to share one final, cherished meal with him and his boys a few months ago. It was special. We talked about me doing one final interview with him. Sadly that will never happen.

"As I left his final words were ‘I love you brother’ One of the Three Amigos is gone. The world seems a little less bright this morning. Farewell friend. Play the spoons up there for me."

Andrew Benson
BBC F1 correspondent

Eddie Jordan, who was known across the world for his outspoken, mischievous character, achieved rare success as an independent team owner.

His team, which made its debut in 1991, won four grands prix in its 15 years in the sport and challenged briefly for the drivers' championship in 1999, before suffering declining fortunes and being sold in 2005.

Jordan later became a television pundit, first for BBC Sport and then for Channel 4, where his outspoken views were paired with an ability to break major news stories.

Image source, Getty Images

We will bring you reaction to the sad news that Eddie Jordan has died and we will post tributes that will come in from Formula 1 throughout the day.

Andrew Benson
BBC F1 correspondent

Eddie Jordan, the flamboyant former Formula 1 team owner and television pundit, has died aged 76.

The Irishman, who had been fighting aggressive prostate cancer, died in the early hours of Thursday morning.

A statement from his family said: “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.”