Eddie Jordan, a Key Figure in the Establishment of the Bahrain Grand Prix, Passes Away at 76

TDT | Manama
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Eddie Jordan, a Key Figure in the Establishment of the Bahrain Grand Prix, Passes Away at 76

For the establishment of the Bahrain Grand Prix, Eddie Jordan was an inspiration and support from the very early days. The "Message from Bahrain" carried on the 2004 Jordan F1 car was a partnership that helped develop the Bahrain race across the world, supporting the growth of the Grand Prix for years to come. The Bahrain International Circuit has issued a statement regarding his passing, expressing heartfelt sadness.

"We join the whole motorsport family in expressing our sadness on the passing of Eddie Jordan. Through his early days as a driver, then team owner, and latterly as a media personality, he was an ever-present and much-loved character in the paddock. Outside of F1, his impact and success as an entrepreneur and work for charitable causes matched his achievements in motorsport," the statement read.

Eddie Jordan, born in Dublin, Ireland, was a legendary figure in motorsport, known for his journey from racing to team ownership. As a young driver, he raced in categories such as Formula Ford, Formula 3, and Formula 2, and even competed in the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. By the late 1970s, he founded his own team, which eventually secured a place on the F1 grid in 1991.

Jordan's team became known for nurturing talents like Michael Schumacher, Rubens Barrichello, Damon Hill, Martin Brundle, and Jean Alesi. Hill’s dramatic victory in the 1998 Belgian Grand Prix marked the team's first win, with Ralf Schumacher completing a historic 1-2 finish. Jordan would go on to secure more race wins, with drivers like Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Giancarlo Fisichella continuing the team’s legacy.

Jordan sold his team in 2005, but his presence in F1 remained strong through his pundit work with BBC and later Channel 4. He was also a familiar face on Top Gear and hosted the Formula For Success podcast with David Coulthard.

In addition to his contributions to motorsport, Jordan’s entrepreneurial success and charitable endeavors further defined his legacy. The Bahrain International Circuit was honored to welcome him on many occasions, and his impact on the Bahrain Grand Prix and global motorsport will not be forgotten.

"We were honoured to welcome him to the Kingdom on many occasions, initially as a team owner and then in his role as a media pundit. His presence, charm, and personality will be greatly missed," the statement concluded.

The motorsport community mourns the loss of a true legend, and we extend our deepest condolences to Eddie Jordan's family, friends, and all who were touched by his remarkable journey.