British manager Eddie Jordan looks upon his sunglasses in the pits of the Hungaroring racetrack during the first free practice session, on August 11, 2000, two days before the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix in Budapest. Photo by Patrick HERTZOG / AFP
London: Flamboyant former Formula One team owner Eddie Jordan died Thursday aged 76 after battling an aggressive form of prostate cancer.
The Irishman revealed in December that he was suffering with bladder and prostate cancer, which had spread to his spine and pelvis.
"It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Eddie Jordan OBE, the ex-Formula 1 team owner, TV pundit and entrepreneur," his family said in a statement.
"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."
The charismatic Jordan, who was a budding racer before turning his attention to team ownership, achieved rare success as an independent team owner in the fiercely competitive world of Formula One.
His team, which made its debut in 1991, won four grands prix in 15 years in the sport and he remained a prominent figure through his work as a TV pundit.
Motorsport's governing body, the FIA, described Jordan as a "legend" of Formula One, saying on X that he had made an "invaluable contribution to global motor sport throughout his life".
F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali, speaking ahead of this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix, said he was "deeply saddened".
"With his inexhaustible energy he always knew how to make people smile, remaining genuine and brilliant at all times," he said.
British driver Damon Hill led home Jordan's best-ever result -- a one-two finish at the 1998 Belgian Grand Prix.
Jordan won further races with Heinz-Harald Frentzen in 1999, who briefly challenged for the title.
Schumacher debut
The Irishman also handed Michael Schumacher his F1 debut at the 1991 Belgian Grand Prix, with the German going on to win a record-breaking seven world championships during his career -- an accomplishment only matched by Lewis Hamilton in 2020.
Jordan sold his F1 team in 2005, with Aston Martin being the latest iteration of the outfit.
Earlier this year, he led a consortium which bought former English rugby Premiership club London Irish and he recently helped seal F1 design guru Adrian Newey's switch from Red Bull to Aston Martin.
Aston Martin said in a statement: "We're deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Eddie Jordan. His impact will be felt across the motorsport community for generations to come."
Jordan's family said the former team owner "brought an abundance of charisma, energy and Irish charm everywhere he went".
"Eddie and Jordan Grand Prix were known for their rock-and-roll image, bringing a fun and exciting element to F1, as well as consistently performing above their weight," their statement added.
Britain's Hill, who won a world championship title with Williams in 1996, told the BBC there would "never be anyone like Eddie Jordan".
"He was gregarious, as you know. He was irreverent, he was crazy. I lived in Ireland when I raced with Eddie and I was privileged to have won a grand prix with Eddie and seen the effect -- he influenced everyone.
"There isn't a single person, in that era and since who has not been positively impacted in some way by Eddie."
As a young man, the Dublin-born Jordan tasted success in the Irish Kart Championship and raced in various categories including Formula Ford, Formula 3 and Formula 2, as well as appearing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
He formed his own band, playing the drums, alongside other interests such as golf, cycling and the arts, and boasted a huge portfolio of business activities.
