Former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan has passed away at the age of 76 after a year-long battle with cancer.
Jordan had been diagnosed with aggressive bladder and prostate cancer in spring of last year. He had spent the winter in South Africa after his latest round of chemotherapy.
He famously ran the Jordan Grand Prix team from 1991 to 2005, was a pundit on BBC’s coverage of Formula 1 and, shortly before his death, headed a consortium bringing back rugby team London Irish – who folded in 2023.
It was confirmed on Thursday morning that he had died with his family releasing a statement which read: "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."
Tributes to Jordan have been flooding in with broadcaster Martin Brundle admitting “the sport will be poorer without” such a “strong character, podcaster Jake Humphrey praising his “incredible spirit” and Red Bull boss Christian Horner saying that F1 “has lost a legend. We will miss his wit and his Irish charm.”
Follow the latest reaction and tributes with our live blog below:
Eddie Jordan dies aged 76
- Former F1 team owner and pundit Eddie Jordan passed away aged 76 on Thursday 20 March
- Jordan was diagnosed with “aggressive” bladder and prostate cancer last spring, which spread to his spine and pelvis.
- Martin Brundle says 'irrepressible' Jordan was 'one of biggest characters in F1'
- Red Bull team principal Christian Horner says F1 has 'lost a legend'
- F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali 'deeply saddened' by Jordan's passing
Eddie Jordan's career in motor racing
12:51 , Lawrence Ostlere2009 – Jordan began a successful media career with his engaging and insightful take on the sport, appearing regularly on BBC Sport and later Sky Sports.
Eddie Jordan's career in motor racing
12:45 , Lawrence Ostlere2005 – Following a period of decline, Jordan was forced to sell the team as finances became increasingly perilous, in no small part down to a misguided attempt to sue Vodafone for breaking a three-year sponsorship two years earlier. Defeat in the case was costly, and Jordan ended up selling the team to the Midland Group for around £40m.
Eddie Jordan's career in motor racing
12:40 , Lawrence Ostlere1998 – Benson & Hedges Jordan, as the team was now known, secured their first victory in F1 when Damon Hill triumphed at Spa in a wet and chaotic Belgian Grand Prix, with teammate Ralf Schumacher finishing second. The victory was such a surprise that race organisers didn’t have the Irish national anthem ready to play during their podium celebrations.
1999 – After almost a decade bouncing around F1’s midfield, the team achieved its highest season finish with a third placing in the constructors’ championship. German driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen pushed for the drivers’ title after winning two races during the season, but came up short.
Eddie Jordan's career in motor racing
12:34 , Lawrence Ostlere1991 – Jordan entered Formula One with Jordan Grand Prix, and gave a precocious Michael Schumacher his F1 debut at the Belgian Grand Prix. The German impressed so much that he was poached by Benetton the following season.
Eddie Jordan's career in motor racing
12:28 , Lawrence Ostlere1979 – After several years working his way up the racing ladder, via Formula Ford and crossing the Irish Sea to compete in British Formula Three and Formula Two, he founded his own team, Eddie Jordan Racing. Over the next decade they won the British Formula Three Championship with a young Johnny Herbert, and the Formula 3000 title with Jean Alesi.
Eddie Jordan's career in motor racing
12:22 , Lawrence Ostlere1970 – Jordan was working as a bank clerk in Dublin when he travelled to Jersey for the summer during a banking strike. It was here he discovered kart racing, and he bought his own kart on his return to Ireland.
1971 – Blessed with a natural talent for the sport, Jordan entered and won the Irish Kart Championship.
Eddie Jordan's career in motor racing
12:16 , Lawrence Ostlere1948 – Jordan was born in Dublin to Eileen and Paddy Jordan, and spent most of his childhood in Bray, 10 miles south of the city. He briefly considered becoming a Catholic priest before deciding to take a short course in accountancy.
Eddie Jordan’s extraordinary career from Dublin banker to F1 team owner
12:11 , Mike JonesFormer Formula One team owner Eddie Jordan has died aged 76, his family have announced.
The Irishman revealed in December he was suffering with bladder and prostate cancer which had spread to his spine and pelvis.
A family statement, published by rugby club London Irish where Jordan was a patron, said he “passed away peacefully with family by his side in Cape Town” on Thursday.
Eddie Jordan’s extraordinary career from Dublin banker to F1 team owner
Ireland's leader reacts to Jordan's death
12:04 , Mike JonesMicheal Martin, Taoiseach of the Republic of Ireland, wrote 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.”
'Rest in peace Eddie Jordan'
11:57 , Mike JonesValtteri Bottas said: “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”
Rest in peace Eddie Jordan.
— Valtteri Bottas (@ValtteriBottas) March 20, 2025
Thank you for all the laughs over the years, all the good things you’ve done in your life, and in @F1 🙏 pic.twitter.com/c29ChG6lam
'A true legend of the sport'
11:50 , Mike JonesFormer Formula 1 driver Pedro de la Rosa wrote on X:
"Very sad to hear the passing away of Eddie Jordan, a true legend of our sport.
"Eddie gave me my first ever opportunity in F1, something I will never forget and will always remain grateful for.
“My thoughts are with his family and friends. RIP."
Damon Hill says Eddie Jordan’s death means Formula One has lost ‘a true legend’
11:44 , Mike JonesDamon Hill said Formula One has lost ‘a true legend’ following the death of former team owner Eddie Jordan on Friday, aged 76.
Jordan, who ran his own team between 1991 and 2005 and handed Michael Schumacher his debut, revealed in December that he was suffering with bladder and prostate cancer which had spread to his spine and pelvis. He died in Cape Town in the early hours of Friday with his family at his bedside.
Jordan entered 250 F1 races, winning four times. Former world champion Hill led home Jordan’s greatest triumph – a one-two finish at the 1998 Belgian Grand Prix.
Damon Hill says Eddie Jordan’s death means Formula One has lost ‘a true legend’
Eddie Jordan issues emotional on-air apology during cancer treatment in one of his final interviews
11:37 , Holly PatrickEddie Jordan issued an emotional on-air apology as he was receiving chemotherapy in one of his last interviews before he died following a diagnosis of “aggressive” bladder and prostate cancer, which spread to his spine and pelvis.
The former F1 team owner and pundit "passed away peacefully with family by his side in Cape Town in the early hours of 20 March 2025," his family announced on Thursday.
Speaking on talkSPORT about leading a consortium which had bought London Irish rugby club out of administration, Jordan became emotional as the conversation turned to his cancer.
"Please forgive me. I just had a big deal of it [chemotherapy] yesterday so I’m sorry – I’m not quite myself," he explained.
'Eddie brought a smile to F1 paddock'
11:31 , Mike JonesFormer Benneton Formula 1 team principal Flavio Briatore wrote on social media:
"I am deeply saddened by the loss of Eddie Jordan. Eddie as a great individual, who for decades always brought a smile to the entire F1 paddock.
"I have fond memories of the time spent on and off the track with Eddie and his presence across the entire F1 world will be greatly missed.
"At this sad time, my thoughts are with his family and friends."
'Eddie was a vibrant figure'
11:24 , Mike JonesMcLaren's chief executive officer Zak Brown said: "All at McLaren are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Eddie Jordan.
“Eddie was a vibrant figure who always wore his heart on his sleeve.
"His passion for Formula 1 was enormous and he leaves an incredible legacy. All of our thoughts are with his family and friends."
'He made an invaluable contribution to motor sport'
11:17 , Mike JonesMotorsport's governing body, the FIA, have posted on X and said: "Eddie Jordan was a legend of Formula One. He made an invaluable contribution to global motor sport throughout his life.
"All of us at the FIA would like to send our deepest condolences to his family and friends at this very difficult time.
"Eddie will always be remembered as a great sportsman and passionate ambassador for Formula One on and off the track."
Hill on Jordan's influence in F1
11:14 , Mike JonesDamon Hill also spoke about the influence Eddie Jordan had in Formula 1.
He said: "He was gregarious, as you know. He was irreverent, he was crazy. I lived in Ireland when I raced with Eddie, I was privileged to have won a grand prix with Eddie, to see the effect and he influenced everyone.
“There isn't a single person, in that era and since, that has not been positively impacted in someway by Eddie.
"He gave a huge amount to charity, he never stopped, he never wasted a single second of his life and he energised everyone he was near. It's a huge loss.
'A true icon and loved character'
11:10 , Mike JonesWilliams F1 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."
Very sad to hear the news Eddie Jordan passing away. He was a true friend of his friends and really charismatic person inside the F1 world.
— Carlos Sainz (@CSainz_oficial) March 20, 2025
'Big heart, warm person'
11:03 , Mike JonesKarun Chandhok speaking to Sky Sports:
"The first words that come to mind, big heart, a warm person, a tough businessman, he did a lot to get his team off the ground. A lot of wheeling and dealing. At his core, a lovable rogue.
“He gave you a big cuddle and a smile. There's an air of sadness, people miss him, I think a heavy heart in this whole paddock today.
“The way to underline the achievement, if you look back over time, 1991, Jordan was the last successful independent team to arrive in F1, Haas with Ferrari, all the others fell by the wayside, he gambled away, put everything on the line, could have gone bust, but didn't, built them up to be challengers, a fantastic 15 year run, made some good money out of it.
“A huge gamble, but it paid off, a fantastic businessman, spotted drivers, gave lots a chance, Michael Schumacher made his debut there, a lot of young talent came through the Jordan team. He was very good at spotting young talent."
'There will never be another like Eddie Jordan'
09:45 , Mike JonesFormer F1 world champion and driver for Jordan’s team, Damon Hill, says:
"We're all very sad and shocked. We knew Eddie was fighting the disease and while we knew it was serious, we thought there might be a chance he would win, but sadly he has lost that.
“There will never be another like Eddie Jordan, You'll hear about what he is like.
"My thoughts go to the Jordan family who are lovely people. Eddie was a huge influence on me and many people in motorsport and around the world, there will never be another like him.”
Eddie Jordan on cancer diagnosis: ‘Don’t be afraid… go and get tested’
09:38 , Mike JonesEddie Jordan encouraged people to ‘go and get tested’ for cancer back in February during his latest round of chemotherapy.
At the time he said he was in ‘good shape’ and those who undergo the treatment have a ‘great chance of survival’.
Eddie Jordan provides update on cancer diagnosis: ‘Don’t be afraid, go get tested’
Formula 1 has 'lost a legend'
09:32 , Mike JonesRed Bull team principal Christian Horner says that Formula 1 has ‘lost a legend’ and explained how he admired Eddie Jordan’s ‘wit and Irish charm’.
Writing on Instagram, Horner added: “Very sorry to hear Eddie Jordan has sadly passed. Eddie was a hugely colourful character.”
'There will never be another like him'
09:27 , Mike JonesSky Sports Formula 1 commentator and racing driver Karun Chandhok says there ‘will never be another like him’ as he pays tribute to Eddie Jordan.
There will never be another like him.
— Karun Chandhok (@karunchandhok) March 20, 2025
Sleep well EJ 🙏🏽💔😘 pic.twitter.com/zMmLYDD52t
'He was one of the biggest characters of F1'
09:22 , Mike JonesMartin Brundle gave his reaction to Eddie Jordan’s passing saying he was ‘irrepressible’ and one of the ‘biggest characters in F1’.
Brundle said: "I'm really sad to hear that Eddie has succumbed to his illness, this has taken him relatively quickly, he was such a character. We'll miss him a lot.
“I first raced for Eddie in F3 in 1983, we hardly had a pound between us, and somehow he hustled and got the car and everything together, and we had a great season, that sums him up.
“There are so many drivers that will want to thank him, Eddie Irvine, Jean Alesi, many of us... Eddie gave us a chance in junior racing and promoted us like crazy to get us F1 seats.
“I was lucky enough to drive for him in F1 itself with the Jordan team to close the circle, like Damon Hill, Ralf Schumacher, Giancarlo Fisichella, Heinz-Harald Frentzen, they were given a chance by Eddie due to his entrepreneurial spirit, and his racer's mentality, he was one of the biggest characters of F1, irrepressible.
“He came through the junior ranks, he was a driver himself, and then he had some teams in F3, he ended up in F1, he won races, it was such a strong character to have around, a great sense of humour, and then when he had something secret to tell you and he'd whisper it to you, we will remember him for that.
“The sport will be poorer without him, what he achieved, what he achieved, what he stood for and what a racer he was."
'His impact will be felt for generations'
09:17 , Mike JonesAston Martin’s F1 team say that Jordan’s impact on motorsport will be ‘felt for generations’ as they paid tribute to the 76-year-old.
Their statement reads: “We're deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Eddie Jordan.
“His impact will be felt across the motorsport community for generations to come.
“Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at this time.”
We're deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Eddie Jordan. His impact will be felt across the motorsport community for generations to come.
— Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) March 20, 2025
Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at this time. pic.twitter.com/VJ39qJ1Ll8
Humphrey praises Jordan's 'incredible spirit'
09:12 , Mike JonesTV presenter Jake Humphrey says he is ‘utterly devastated’ by the news of Eddie Jordan’s passing and praised the ‘incredible spirit’ of the former F1 team owner and pundit.
Writing on X, Humphrey said: “Formula One 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.
“His greatest achievements were Mikki, Zoe, Kyle and Zak. His incredible 4 kids who share his spirit. His wife Marie is one of the strongest, most wonderful women I have ever met.
“The 4 years we spent together hosting F1 on the BBC were greatest of my career.
“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.”
Utterly devastated.
— Jake Humphrey (@mrjakehumphrey) March 20, 2025
EJ has left us.
Formula One 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, we won hearts. I will never forget how his face would… pic.twitter.com/eef03QiZh6
Stefano Domenicali reacts to Jordan death
09:08 , Mike JonesCEO of Formula One Group, Stefano Domenicali said:
“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.”
Eddie Jordan death: Former F1 team owner dies aged 76
09:06 , Kieran JacksonFormer F1 team owner Eddie Jordan has passed away at the age of 76 after a year-long battle with cancer.
Jordan revealed in December that he had experienced some “very dark days” after being diagnosed with “aggressive” bladder and prostate cancer last spring, which spread to his spine and pelvis.
