Eddie Jordan, former F1 team owner, dies aged 76

Eddie Jordan, the iconic motorsports team owner who handed seven-time world drivers' champion Michael Schumacher his Formula One start, died at the age of 76, his family said on Thursday.

Jordan, often known as "EJ", was diagnosed with bladder and prostate cancer in December of last year, which had spread to his spine and pelvis. On Thursday morning, his family published a statement stating that he died peacefully at home in Cape Town.

"He passed away peacefully with family by his side in Cape Town in the early hours of 20th March 2025 at the age of 76, after battling with an aggressive form of prostate cancer for the past 12 months.

“EJ brought an abundance of charisma, energy and Irish charm everywhere he went,” the statement said.  “We all have a huge hole missing without his presence. He will be missed by so many people, but he leaves us with tonnes of great memories to keep us smiling through our sorrow.”

Jordan was born in Dublin, Ireland, and became involved in motorsport at a young age.

He began his racing career in Irish karting before advancing through the levels of Formula 3 and Formula 2, before deciding to start his own racing team following a series of injuries.

Jordan formed a team named after himself in 1980, and it immediately became known for giving bright young drivers opportunities; in 1982, Jordan's team offered F1 superstar Ayrton Senna his maiden Formula 3 drive.

Jordan rose in stature until 1991, when it secured a seat on the Formula One grid.

In his team's first season, he provided Schumacher his maiden F1 participation, paving the way for the German driver to become one of the sport's all-time greats.

Jordan Grand Prix collected points in every season in which it competed, winning four times. Damon Hill claimed the first victory in 1998. A year later, Heinz-Harald Frentzen won twice and led the team to third place in the constructors' championship. The team's final victory came with Giancarlo Fisichella in 2003, under unique circumstances: a dispute about official F1 time following a race-ending red light forced the race to be determined in court later that week. It was one of just three points-paying finishes for the Jordan Grand Prix squad that season.

Jordan's team won their first Grand Prix in 1998 in the Belgian Grand Prix, with Hill's British world champion teammate, Ralf Schumacher, completing the 1-2 result.

His team's most successful season was in 1999, when an inspired Heinz-Harald Frentzen led an improbable title push that ultimately fell short against Mika Häkkinen. Jordan's squad won four Grand Prix races.

Jordan sold his team in early 2005, and the now-famous name disappeared from the grid the following season, but it was not the last time F1 fans saw or heard from him.

In 2009, he became a commentator for the BBC's F1 coverage, where he spent several years entertaining audiences and breaking scoops like Lewis Hamilton's surprise transfer from McLaren to Mercedes at the conclusion of 2012.

He then took on a similar F1 post at Channel 4, appeared as a host on the iconic British TV show Top Gear, and co-hosted the popular podcast Formula For Success with old BBC colleague David Coulthard.

“We are deeply saddened to hear about the sudden loss of Eddie Jordan,” F1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali said in a statement. “With his inexhaustible energy, he always knew how to make people smile, remaining genuine and brilliant at all times.

“Eddie has been a protagonist of an era of F1 and he will be deeply missed. In this moment of sorrow, my thoughts and those of the entire Formula 1 family are with his family and loved ones.”

Jordan disclosed his prostate cancer diagnosis in December of last year. He died in South Africa on Thursday. He is survived by his wife and four children.