Eddie Jordan is a well-known figure in the world of motorsport, having been involved in various roles throughout his career. He is perhaps best known for founding the Jordan Grand Prix team, which competed in Formula One from 1991 to 2005.
Born in Dublin, Ireland in 1948, Jordan grew up with a passion for motorsport. He began his own racing career in the late 1960s, competing in a variety of events throughout Ireland and the UK. However, he soon realized that his true talent lay in management rather than driving, and he began to focus on building his own team.
GET ONE MONTH FREE AND LEARN HOW TO BUILD YOUR OWN WEBSITE HERE
In 1980, Jordan founded Eddie Jordan Racing, which initially competed in Formula Ford and later moved up to Formula Three. Over the years, the team achieved considerable success, with drivers such as Martin Brundle and Johnny Herbert taking victories and podium finishes.
However, Jordan’s biggest success came when he decided to move into Formula One. In 1991, he founded Jordan Grand Prix, with the team making its debut at the season-opening United States Grand Prix. Despite being a new team with limited resources, Jordan Grand Prix immediately made an impression, with driver Andrea de Cesaris qualifying in fifth place and finishing the race in fourth.
Over the years, Jordan Grand Prix continued to go from strength to strength. In 1998, the team achieved its first race victory, with Damon Hill winning the Belgian Grand Prix. The following year, Heinz-Harald Frentzen won two races and finished third in the drivers’ championship, while the team itself finished third in the constructors’ championship.
However, it was in 1999 that Jordan Grand Prix achieved its greatest success. The team introduced the highly innovative EJ10 chassis, which was designed by technical director Mike Gascoyne and featured a unique “trick” suspension system. With drivers Frentzen and Jarno Trulli at the wheel, the team won four races and finished third in the constructors’ championship once again.
Despite this success, Jordan Grand Prix never managed to win a championship in Formula One. However, the team remained a popular and well-respected presence in the paddock, thanks in large part to Jordan’s own larger-than-life personality. Known for his flamboyant dress sense and outspoken opinions, Jordan was a colorful and entertaining figure who always had something to say.
In 2005, Jordan Grand Prix was sold to the Midland Group and rebranded as MF1 Racing. Jordan himself moved on to other projects, including a role as a pundit for the BBC’s coverage of Formula One. However, he remained a popular and influential figure in the sport, with many fans and commentators remembering his time at the helm of one of Formula One’s most iconic teams.
