Eddie Jordan’s unforgettable spirit and passion shaped a generation in Formula 1. Tributes flood in from legends across the paddock.
Tributes continue to pour in for Eddie Jordan, the legendary former team boss who passed away earlier this week. The Formula 1 paddock at the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai has been filled with memories and reflections on a man who left an indelible mark on the sport.
Christian Horner, Team Principal at Red Bull Racing, was among those who shared heartfelt words.
“It’s incredibly sad,” Horner said. “Eddie was a true character and a pioneer. He inspired many by taking his team from Formula Ford all the way to Formula 1.”
Horner recalled his first encounter with Jordan back in 1991. “I was just an aspiring young driver when I met him. He had just moved into a brand-new factory at Silverstone. Despite being busy, he took the time to speak with me late into the evening about my future.”
“His advice was simple but unforgettable: ‘The secret to motorsport is finding a good sponsor. And welcome to the Piranha Club.’ That was Eddie—sharp, witty, and full of personality. He lit up every room. He really was the heart and soul of every party.”
Jordan’s love for music was just as passionate as his love for racing. “He and his band would play anywhere, anytime,” Horner said. “He will be deeply missed. F1 hasn’t felt the same without him. He believed in giving people a chance—drivers, engineers, technicians, designers. Many in this paddock owe their careers to Eddie Jordan.”
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McLaren CEO Zak Brown, who entered F1 in the 2010s, also remembered Jordan fondly.
“Eddie was a true racer with a big personality,” Brown said. “He helped launch the careers of many drivers. I remember being at Spa in ’91 when Michael Schumacher made his debut in Eddie’s car and qualified seventh—it was iconic.”
“He held his own with the big teams, and by the late ‘90s, he was really competing at the top. We’ll miss him a lot. F1 needs more people like Eddie Jordan—he was always at the center of the action.”
Even those who didn’t know him personally felt his legacy. Alpine F1 Team Principal Oliver Oakes shared his thoughts:
“I never got to know Eddie well, but he’s a true inspiration,” Oakes said. “Listening to people like Flavio Briatore talk about their stories with him, you can tell he was one of a kind. My team, Hitech, actually started out in one of the units next to his old Jordan factory at Silverstone. He was an incredible man, and he leaves behind a lasting legacy.”
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Eddie Jordan Remembered as F1’s Wild Heart and Soul
Eddie Jordan Remembered as F1’s Wild Heart and Soul
