‘Eddie Jordan was a one-off’

The last time I saw Eddie Jordan he was running late and brusquely apologetic. The occasion was our 100th anniversary dinner at The Dorchester in London last July and he had accepted the invitation enthusiastically. On the night however he was nowhere to be seen. As guests took their seats I ventured into the lobby to usher latecomers through and just as the last of them was seated the door flew open and he hurried through it. It was a black tie event but rather than the conventional dinner jackets of other guests he was wearing a flamboyant black velvet jacket, black shirt and black tie. Very EJ. “I’m in the middle of chemo,” he said, “and I’m not sure how long I can stay.”

There’s wasn’t an ounce of self-pity or expected sympathy in his tone. He bustled towards his table where he would hold court among friends from the racing fraternity, centre of attention as ever.

Eddie Jordan was a one-off and it was with great sadness that we heard of his death aged 76 from cancer last month. Younger readers will know him from his media work and his popular podcast hosted with long-time partner in crime David Coulthard. Still others will recall his foray into TV as host of Top Gear or as the team owner who helped launch the careers of among others Michael Schumacher, Rubens Barrichello, Eddie Irvine and Jean Alesi.

Most of us simply remember him as a force of nature who took on the Formula 1 establishment in the 1990s and won. Is there a more uplifting photograph than the one you see overleaf of EJ lifting the trophy after his first win for upstart Jordan on that rain-soaked day in Spa? The sheer pride and vindication, the sense that anything was possible regardless of the odds.

EJ was a one-off, but he was a very ‘motor racing’ type of one-off, a sport which has a history of producing (or should that be attracting) dealmaking men like him. Flamboyant, larger-than-life characters brimming with self-confidence and fizzing with energy who find the glamorous, ruthless and opportunity-rich environment of Formula 1 to their liking. “Welcome to the Piranha Club,” said Ron Dennis to him famously when Benetton swooped to nick a young Michael Schumacher from his upstart team. That never worried EJ who revelled in the challenge and always punched above his weight. We will miss him and the sport is poorer without him.

Joe Dunn, editor
Follow Joe on X @joedunn90

Next magazine: Our June issue is on sale from April 30