Jordan Grand Prix, also known as Jordan F1, was a Formula One racing team founded in 1991 by Irish businessman Eddie Jordan. The team competed in Formula One between 1991 and 2005, during which time they achieved some notable successes and established a reputation as an exciting and competitive outfit.
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Jordan’s entry into Formula One was somewhat unconventional, as the team began as a privateer outfit, using customer chassis and engines. However, the team quickly made a name for themselves with their flamboyant style and their willingness to take risks.
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In their debut season in 1991, Jordan scored their first points with Andrea de Cesaris finishing in fifth place at the Canadian Grand Prix. However, it was in 1993 that the team really started to make an impact, with drivers Rubens Barrichello and Eddie Irvine regularly challenging for podiums and scoring their first ever win at the 1998 Belgian Grand Prix with Damon Hill behind the wheel.
Jordan’s most successful season came in 1999, when they finished third in the constructors’ championship, behind only Ferrari and McLaren. This was largely thanks to the performances of their two drivers, Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Damon Hill, who between them scored four wins and a total of 61 points.
Despite their successes, the Jordan team faced financial difficulties throughout their time in Formula One, with Eddie Jordan often having to resort to unconventional methods to raise funds. One of the most famous examples of this was the “Buzzin’ Hornets” sponsorship deal in 1997, where the team ran with bright yellow liveries covered in pictures of hornets to promote a new brand of aftershave.
In 2000, the team was sold to the Midland Group and renamed Midland F1 Racing. However, the team struggled to make an impact and was sold again just two years later to become Spyker F1. This team also failed to make much of an impression, and in 2008 it was sold once again to become Force India, which has since been renamed Racing Point and then Aston Martin F1.
Despite their relatively short lifespan, the Jordan team left an indelible mark on Formula One. Their bold and unorthodox approach, combined with their ability to punch above their weight and take on the established giants of the sport, endeared them to fans and made them one of the most beloved teams in Formula One history.
