It has been announced that former F1 team boss, and TV pundit, Eddie Jordan, has passed away aged 76.
Eddie Jordan played a crucial role in launching the careers of several iconic Formula 1 drivers through his Jordan Grand Prix team (1991–2005).
Here are some of the drivers whose career was made, or shaped, by Eddie Jordan.
1. Michael Schumacher (1991)
Schumacher made his F1 debut with Jordan at the 1991 Belgian Grand Prix after Bertrand Gachot was jailed for a road rage incident in London. Michael's performance caught the attention of Benetton, who immediately signed him, leading to his legendary career. The rest, as they say, is history.
2. Rubens Barrichello (1993)
Jordan gave Barrichello his F1 debut in 1993. In his 4 years at Jordan, "Rubinho" finished on the podium twice. Barrichello later joined Michael Schumacher at Ferrari
3. Eddie Irvine (1993)
Made his debut with Jordan at the 1993 Japanese Grand Prix. During the race he unlapped himself against the race leader, and ultimate race winner, Ayrton Senna, leading to an altercation between the two drivers after the race. Irvine left Jordan in 1995 and moved to Ferrari.
4. Ralf Schumacher (1997)
After testing for McLaren, Ralf Schumacher, Michael's younger brother signed for Jordan and made his F1 debut in 1997. When Ralf joined Jordan, he also brought in £8 million of sponsorship money which partly helped to pay his wages.
5. Giancarlo Fisichella (1997, 2002-2003)
Fisichella made his race debut with Minardi but failed to complete a season. He made his first full-time F1 season with Jordan in 1997 replacing the legend, Martin Brundle. He left the team but returned in 2002 and won the Brazilian Grand Prix, the teams last F1 victory.
6. Heinz-Harald Frentzen (1999-2001)
Frentzen joined Jordan in a straight swap for Ralf Schumacher who went the other way and joined Williams. He put his Jordan in pole at the 1999 European Grand Prix but had to retire during the race. Frentzen finished 3rd in the Drivers Championship that season with many regarding him to be the driver of the year.
7. Takuma Sato (2002)
Eddie Jordan gave Sato his F1 debut in 2002 where he replaced Heinz-Harald Frentzen. He finished 5th in his home Grand Prix in Japan. Sato left Jordan in 2003 to join BAR-Honda where he won the 2004 US GP.
Comments