Martin Brundle has paid an emotional tribute to Eddie Jordan after the Formula 1 legend passed away. The former racer, team owner and broadcaster died after a battle with cancer aged 76.
Jordan revealed last December that he had been diagnosed with bladder and prostate cancer, and passed away surrounded by his family in Cape Town in the early hours of Thursday March 20. The Irishman battled with an aggressive form of the disease over the last 12 months.
Brundle raced in Jordan’s Formula 1 team during his career and paid credit to his early endeavours in the sport. Jordan Grand Prix first entered F1 in 1991 and, in the same year, the owner famously handed Michael Schumacher his debut.
Sky Sports interviewer Brundle expressed his sadness over Jordan’s passing, a figure he will miss a lot. The 65-year-old highlighted just how many drivers were given their chance by Jordan.
Brundle said: “I’m really sad to hear that Eddie has succumbed to his illness. He’s not been feeling well for quite a while now, but it has taken him relatively quickly.
“He was such a character and we will miss him a lot. I first raced for Eddie in Formula 3 in 1983 when we hardly had a pound between us. How he hustled to get the car and transporter and everything together, and we had a great season – that sums him up.
“There are so many drivers in this paddock and formerly on the grid in Formula 1 who need to thank him, the likes of Eddie Irvine, Jean Alesi – many of us who Eddie gave a chance in junior racing and in promoting us like crazy to get us Formula 1 seats. I was lucky enough to drive for him in Formula 1 itself with the Jordan team, to close the circle, just like many other drivers like Damon Hill, Ralf Schumacher, Heinz-Harald Frentzen, Giancarlo Fisichella and many other drivers who were given a chance because of Eddie’s entrepreneurial spirit and his racer’s mentality.
“Eddie Jordan was one of the biggest characters of Formula 1, absolutely irrepressible. Everybody loved him, he was such a strong character to have around with a great sense of humour and then when he had something really secret to tell you, he’d whisper to you – we’ll remember him for that. The sport will be poorer without him because of what he achieved and what he stood for, and just what a racer he was.”
Jordan’s family released a statement to inform the world of the sad news. They reflected on his charisma and hoped to ‘smile through the sorrow’. A family statement read: “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Eddie Jordan OBE, the ex-Formula 1 team owner, TV pundit and entrepreneur.
“He passed away peacefully with family by his side in Cape Town in the early hours of March 20, 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. 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.”
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