The sentence “There gained’t be one other one like…” is a frequent one every time somebody passes. However, in that case of Eddie Jordan, that sentence actually is true. Jordan was considered one of a sort inside Components 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 residence a staff one-two.
The next 12 months, Jordan almost went one higher. German driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen remained within the Drivers’ Championship struggle for a lot 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 operating at a monetary deficit compared.
Most obituaries immediately will naturally concentrate on Jordan’s success as staff proprietor. However whereas the Jordan title disappeared from the pit lane gantry in 2005, Jordan as a paddock determine remained. In 2008, the BBC introduced that Jordan would type a part of their broadcast staff for the 2009 season. However, dangle 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 could prove. Since Murray Walker retired in 2001, F1 was lacking one thing on the small display when it got here to wrap-around protection. The protection was informative and attention-grabbing, 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, attention-grabbing, and entertaining. Jordan injected humour, color, persona, and opinions multi function go into the tv protection, aided by Humphrey, Coulthard, and the rest of the BBC staff.
When Jordan spoke, you listened. You laughed. Possibly you cried with laughter as a result of he stated 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 motive force market?
The factor about Jordan was that his viewpoints felt opinionated with out malice. Chances are you’ll disagree with him once in a while, however there was by no means a sense of ailing 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 duplicate, and perhaps that’s as a result of you’ll be able to’t. Fortunately for the Beeb, the best folks had been out there on the proper time, in the best circumstances. It’s a components or presentation staff that has by no means been bettered. Jordan was a superb staff proprietor, and an equally good TV pundit who entertained hundreds of thousands, race in, race out.
Jordan stayed with the BBC till their F1 tv protection resulted in 2015, shifting over to Channel 4. He remained near each Coulthard and Humphrey, creating the Components For Success podcast with the previous in more moderen years. His affect on paddock life remained, at the same time as he battled an aggressive type of prostate most cancers.
If Group Silverstone with Adrian Newey takes Aston Martin to the entrance in 2026, there may be one man primarily accountable. His title is Eddie Jordan. Sadly, he is not going to be there to witness it in individual, solely in spirit.
Relaxation straightforward, Eddie.
Tributes to Eddie Jordan
David Coulthard: “Eddie Jordan was a drive to be reckoned with past what anybody might anticipate in Components 1. He was a present to Components 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 will likely be infinite folks telling Eddie Jordan tales so long as there may be nonetheless Components 1 round. It has been an honour calling him and good friend & all of our like to his household & his 4 kids, 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 among 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 using, automotive driving insanity that I do know he cherished deeply. His unimaginable spirit and love of life lives on in me, and my kids who had been fortunate sufficient to satisfy him and listen to all about him. Eddie lit up a room every 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 closing, cherished meal with him and his boys a number of months in the past. It was particular. We talked about me doing one closing interview with him. Sadly that may by no means occur. As I left his closing phrases had been ‘I like you brother’. One of many 3 Amigos is gone. The world appears rather less shiny this morning. He’s busy taking part in spoons within the sky ❤️”
Martin Brundle: “RIP my good friend. Condolences to each considered one of your beautiful household. What a personality. What a rock star. What a racer. So many drivers owe you a lot, you gave us our possibilities and believed in us. 🥲
Lee McKenzie: “There’ll by no means be anybody like him. A real good friend. Thanks for every part EJ 💚🍀”
