Eddie Jordan, the charismatic Irish entrepreneur whose team gave Michael Schumacher his Formula 1 debut in 1991, died of cancer at home in South Africa at age 76, his family said on Thursday (20).
Jordan, who later became a television commentator, entered the world of the racing prize with his Silverstone -based team in 1991 and remained even financial problems to sell in 2005.
After several names of name and property, it now competes as Aston Martin.
“EJ brought an abundance of charisma, energy and Irish charm wherever it went. We all have a great void without their presence,” the family said in a statement.
They said Jordan died in the early hours of Cape Town with his family by his side.
Born on March 30, 1948, Jordan competed in the junior car racing series before becoming a driver manager and then a team owner.
The F1 team and their lively owner in search of advertising brought a “rock and roll” image to the sport – with glamor models about cars and many tabloid headlines – but they also stood out by beating rivals established a long time ago.
Heptacal German world champion Schumacher debuted with them on spa-francorchamps after Belgian driver Bertrand Gachot was arrested for spraying a CS gas London taxi driver.
The team had little money and Schumacher, still largely unknown and running in sports cars, was available and had a persuasive manager and a lot of money from Mercedes.
The German was immediately hired by Benetton de Flavio Briatore, where he won titles in 1994 and 1995, but the younger brother Ralf had a longer ticket with Jordan in 1997 and 1998.
Briton Damon Hill, 1996 champion with Williams, won racing with Jordan in 1998. The team finished third and McLaren in the 1999 builder championship and won four races in total.
“He will miss many people, but leaves us with tons of great memories to make us smile amid our sadness,” said the family statement about Jordan.
Formula 1 CEO, Stefano Domenicali, a former chief of the Ferrari team, said he was deeply saddened.
“With his inexhaustible energy, he always knew how to make people smile, remaining genuine and bright all the time,” said the Italian.
“Eddie was a protagonist of an F1 era and will be sorely missed.”
Speaking openly about his cancer, Jordan said in December that he went through “very dark days” since the diagnosis of aggressive bladder and prostate cancer that spread to the spine and pelvis.
The Irishman remained busy, acting as manager of renowned designer Adrian Newey and patron of the Rugbi club London Irish.
“Eddie Jordan was a true pilot, a great leader and one of the greatest characters of our sport,” said Lawrence Stroll, owner of Aston Martin. “He was a friend I have known for over 30 years and I will miss you so much.”
Ireland Prime Minister Micheal Martin has paid tribute to a compatriot who, according to him, “lived his life to the fullest, facing his last days with the same courage and tenacity demonstrated over many years as an entrepreneur, F1 pioneer and TV commentator.”
Alan Baldwin report; Edition of Gareth Jones, Kevin Liffey and Ken Ferris
