Eddie Jordan was one of F1’s most unforgettable personalities; we’ll all miss him

 Eddie Jordan was one of F1’s most unforgettable personalities; we’ll all miss him

Johnny Herbert
The wheeler-dealer side of Eddie was fantastic, always thinking outside the box to get the best out of people.

I vividly recall meeting Eddie Jordan at a motorsport awards dinner in late 1986. He approached me and asked if anyone had talked to me about driving for them the following year. I told him no one had, and by the end of the evening, we had agreed on a deal for 1987. That partnership led to us winning the Formula 3 British Championship together.

I truly believe if Eddie hadn’t given me that chance in Formula 3, my career might not have taken off the way it did, and I may never have made it to Formula One.

That year, I got to know the real Eddie Jordan. While you could see the character he portrayed on TV and as a team owner, spending time with him at his place in Sotogrande, Spain, with his family, revealed so much more. He was a fantastic host and made everyone feel incredibly welcome within the walls of Eddie Jordan Racing. Later, as he expanded into Formula 1, bringing in talents like Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill, he continued to make everyone feel part of something special.

One thing that stood out was his relentless work ethic. Looking back, it’s clear why he achieved so much. Eddie worked tirelessly, day and night, always looking for new opportunities and deals. He was passionate about the business side of racing, always thinking ahead and finding ways to keep pushing forward.

When we raced in Formula 3000 in 1988, we started with just one sponsor on the car, and it was plain white, no logos. After I took pole position at the first race, Eddie made a call to Duncan Lee at Camel cigarettes. Duncan wasn’t initially interested, but Eddie kept pushing, and by Tuesday, Duncan agreed to meet with him. Eddie then grabbed a Camel sticker, slapped it on the side of the car, and I went on to win the race. With that victory, Eddie had the perfect image to take to the meeting and secured a two-year sponsorship deal.

It was this kind of creativity and hustle that defined Eddie. His ability to think outside the box, promoting himself and his partners in new ways, was incredibly refreshing and set a standard for the sport in the early '90s.

His strength also lay in the team he built around him. At the factory, Eddie fostered a sense of unity. Everyone had a clear role and felt like part of the mission, which brought out the best in people, even with a limited budget. Eddie cared deeply for his team, ensuring that they were motivated and happy in their work, and in return, they gave everything for him. He was open, emotional, and supportive, balancing the hard side of his personality with a genuine care for those around him.

Jordan F1 were the underdogs, always close to greatness, and in 1999, they nearly clinched both the drivers' and constructors’ championships with Heinz-Harald Frentzen. The underdog status made them even more beloved because there was something irresistible about their energy and spirit.

I’ll never forget the British Grand Prix in 1995, after my win, when Eddie’s band played in the paddock—Nick Mason on drums, Eddie on drums, Damon Hill on guitar, and me on tambourine (the only thing I could manage rhythm-wise). It wasn’t traditional Formula 1, but it was unforgettable fun, and it captured the essence of Eddie's character.

Eddie had this rare ability to enjoy the limelight, and he brought a level of charisma and energy to the paddock that was contagious. He was one of the last team owners who was deeply involved in every decision and made it all feel more personal and special. His success with a small budget earned him widespread respect, both on and off the track, particularly with his later career in television.

I will miss him deeply, and I think we all will. Each of us has our own memories of Eddie, but it was his energy that left a lasting impression. He was truly one of the biggest characters the paddock has ever seen, and his legacy will undoubtedly live on.

Tags;

demure,
demure trend,
very demure trend,
give me my money trend,
just give me my money trend,
what is demure trend,
what is the demure trend,
demure meaning,
demure trend meaning,
bta trend,
i love your daughter trend,
gimme my money trend,
nice try diddy trend,
legging legs trend,
hey brother trend,
who started the demure trend,
what is the very demure trend,
where did the demure trend come from,