The sentence “There received’t be one other one like…” is a frequent one each time somebody passes. However, in that case of Eddie Jordan, that sentence actually is true. Jordan was one in every of a form inside Method 1, each for his function as staff proprietor and later tv analyst.
As staff proprietor, Jordan constructed his staff from the bottom up from their base close to the Silverstone race monitor. Over 14 years, the staff secured two pole positions and 4 race victories, most famously clinching their first victory within the 1998 Belgian Grand Prix, with Damon Hill main house a staff one-two.
The next yr, Jordan practically went one higher. German driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen remained within the Drivers’ Championship struggle for many of the season, preventing with McLaren and Ferrari, earlier than reliability obtained the higher of the Jordan. However, it confirmed that on their day, Jordan might struggle with the larger F1 outfits regardless of working at a monetary deficit as compared.
Most obituaries right now will naturally deal with Jordan’s success as staff proprietor. However whereas the Jordan identify disappeared from the pit lane gantry in 2005, Jordan as a paddock determine remained. In 2008, the BBC introduced that Jordan would kind a part of their broadcast staff for the 2009 season. However, hold on.
Eddie Jordan wasn’t an F1 journalist.
Eddie Jordan wasn’t an F1 driver.
What can Eddie Jordan contribute to the BBC’s F1 tv output, I hear you say? Quite a bit, as it will prove. Since Murray Walker retired in 2001, F1 was lacking one thing on the small display screen when it got here to wrap-around protection. The protection was informative and fascinating, however was lacking a key ingredient.
Jordan shaped the BBC’s main trio alongside Jake Humphrey and David Coulthard, immediately turning the printed into one which was informative, fascinating, and entertaining. Jordan injected humour, color, persona, and opinions multi functional go into the tv protection, aided by Humphrey, Coulthard, and the rest of the BBC staff.
When Jordan spoke, you listened. You laughed. Perhaps you cried with laughter as a result of he mentioned one thing so unbelievably foolish that later turned out to be true. Jordan’s sources had been impeccable, a goldmine for the Beeb and an unimaginable asset to them. Who knew an ex-team proprietor would maintain all of the keys to the driving force market?
The factor about Jordan was that his viewpoints felt opinionated with out malice. It’s possible you’ll disagree with him every so often, however there was by no means a sense of in poor health will. As an alternative, the Irish smile and character peered out from behind the dialogue, because the presentation staff mulled over the paddock gossip.
The BBC created a successful components, which different broadcasters have struggled to copy, and perhaps that’s as a result of you possibly can’t. Fortunately for the Beeb, the precise individuals had been accessible on the proper time, in the precise circumstances. It’s a components or presentation staff that has by no means been bettered. Jordan was a superb staff proprietor, and an equally sensible TV pundit who entertained hundreds of thousands, race in, race out.
Jordan stayed with the BBC till their F1 tv protection led to 2015, transferring over to Channel 4. He remained near each Coulthard and Humphrey, creating the Method For Success podcast with the previous in newer years. His affect on paddock life remained, whilst he battled an aggressive type of prostate most cancers.
If Crew Silverstone with Adrian Newey takes Aston Martin to the entrance in 2026, there may be one man primarily accountable. His identify is Eddie Jordan. Sadly, he won’t be there to witness it in individual, solely in spirit.
Relaxation simple, Eddie.
Tributes to Eddie Jordan
David Coulthard: “Eddie Jordan was a drive to be reckoned with past what anybody might count on in Method 1. He was a present to Method 1 & he was a present to Eire. You by no means knew fairly the place his insanity would take you subsequent, however you all the time obtained there with a smile in your face. There might be countless individuals telling Eddie Jordan tales so long as there may be nonetheless Method 1 round. It has been an honour calling him and good friend & all of our like to his household & his 4 youngsters, Mikki, Zoe, Kyle & Zak”
Jake Humphrey: “His biggest achievements had been Mikki, Zoe, Kyle and Zak. His unimaginable 4 children who share his spirit. His spouse Marie is likely one of the strongest, most great girls I’ve ever met. The 4 years we spent collectively internet hosting F1 on the BBC had been biggest of my profession. Wing-walking, scooter driving, automobile driving insanity that I do know he beloved deeply. His unimaginable spirit and love of life lives on in me, and my youngsters who had been fortunate sufficient to satisfy him and listen to all about him. Eddie lit up a room each time he entered it. That could be a lesson for us all – be the sunshine within the room. I used to be fortunate sufficient to share one remaining, cherished meal with him and his boys a couple of months in the past. It was particular. We talked about me doing one remaining interview with him. Sadly that can by no means occur. As I left his remaining phrases had been ‘I like you brother’. One of many 3 Amigos is gone. The world appears rather less vibrant this morning. He’s busy taking part in spoons within the sky ❤️”
Martin Brundle: “RIP my good friend. Condolences to every one in every of your pretty household. What a personality. What a rock star. What a racer. So many drivers owe you a lot, you gave us our probabilities and believed in us. 🥲
Lee McKenzie: “There’ll by no means be anybody like him. A real good friend. Thanks for the whole lot EJ 💚🍀”
