Inside Eddie Jordan’s fast paced life from owning F1 team, to presenting on Top Gear and circling globe on a £32m yacht
EDDIE JORDAN has revealed he’s been battling an “aggressive cancer”.
The F1 legend, 76, was diagnosed with bladder and prostate cancer earlier this year which then spread.
He said he’s had some “dark days” and urged people to go out and get tested and spoke about the importance of looking after one’s body.
In an appearance on his Formula For Success podcast, which he hosts alongside David Coulthard, Jordan said: “We’ve kind of alluded to it David, over the shows. Way back in March and April, I was diagnosed with bladder and prostate cancer.
“And then it spread into the spine and the pelvis, so it was quite aggressive. And we’ve all heard about our wonderful friend Sir Chris Hoy, who is an absolute megastar, and he [was] coming out and talking about illness such as like what I’ve got, but he’s a far younger man.
“But this is a little message for all the anchors and everybody listening to this: don’t wait or put it off.
“Go and get tested, because in life you’ve got chances and there is so much medical advice out there and so many things that you can do to extend your lifetime. Go and do it.
“Don’t be stupid, don’t be shy. It’s not a shy thing – look after your body, guys.
“We’ll move on, but yes, some very dark days in there – but we pulled out of it, thankfully.”
Jordan has enjoyed an epic life in racing, from launching his own career to owning F1 teams, and becoming a pundit and TV host.
Away from the sport, he’s a keen sailor and boating enthusiast – who once splashed the cash on a boat formerly owned by a US politician, and has circumnavigated the world.
Rock and roll fan Jordan, who’s understood to be worth around £470million, also loves music and plays drums in a band, while his art collection is mint.
Racing career
Age 15, Jordan contemplated becoming a priest. Then, he toyed with the idea of accountancy, taking a course, before getting a job at a bank in Ireland.
During a work trip in Jersey, he discovered go-karting – returning to his native country and buying a go-kart.
He had a natural flair for the sport.
Jordan entered the Irish Kart Championship in 1971 – winning it.
In ’74, he moved to Formula Ford, the Irish Formula Ford Championship and, in 1975, to Formula Three.
However, he was forced to sit out the entire ’76 season after shattering his leg in a crash.
Jordan soon switched to Formula Atlantic, where he won three races in the 1977 season.
In ’78 he won the Irish Formula Atlantic Championship – racing in British Formula Three a year later for Team Ireland.
In the late 70s Jordan raced once in Formula Two and did some test driving for McLaren.
But, soon his thoughts began drifting towards life away from behind the wheel.
Team owner
Come 1979, he founded his own team – Eddie Jordan Racing.
Touring car drivers David Leslie and David Sears ran for him, as did James Weaver in European F3.
Jordan also hired Martin Brundle, now famed for his celebrity grid walk interviews, who finished second to Ayrton Senna in British F3.
In 1987, Johnny Herbert won the team the British Formula Three Championship.
In 1991, Jordan had grander plans. After hiring Reynard chief designer Gary Anderson, he founded Jordan Grand Prix and entered Formula 1.
They quickly punched above their weight thanks to the quality of drivers that drove for the team.
Jordan memorably gave Michael Schumacher his first start in F1 in the team’s debut season.
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After one start, the German was lured to Benetton.
However, in 1998 the team achieved its best ever result when Damon Hill and Ralf Schumacher finished first and second at the Belgian Grand Prix.
A year later, they had Heinz-Harald Frentzen as a genuine contender for the world championship, until he fell away.
In 2005, Jordan finally sold up – Midland Group, financed by wealthy Russian-Canadian businessman Alex Shnaider, bought the team and renamed it MF1 Racing.
Following a hiatus from motor racing, Jordan returned to F1 as a pundit and has worked for BBC Sport, Channel 4, and is a regular now on Sky Sports.
Yacht owner
Away from racing, Jordan loves sailing.
He has owned several boats, including the biggest Sunseeker Yacht ever built.
It featured a nightclub and a parking garage for jet skis as well as opulent dining rooms, lounges, bars, viewing decks, jacuzzis, bedrooms and ensuite bathrooms
It reportedly set him back £32million, but he decided to sell it in 2017.
He revealed to Boat International that his busy schedule only allowed him to enjoy two weeks a year on it, and it wasn’t worth the £1.2m running costs, including fuel, dockage, maintenance, insurance and crew salaries.
Jordan also owned a 45-metre sailing boat called Blush, which he recently sold for around £9m.
His passion for sailing allowed him to tick off a dream on his bucket list.
“I was very lucky to circumnavigate the world so that’s no longer on the bucket list,” Jordan revealed.
Back in the paddock
For all his love of the ocean, motorsport is still clearly his biggest love.
In 2016, he became a presenter for the revamped Top Gear, alongside Chris Evans and Matt LeBlanc.
But he’s at home when he’s in the paddock – working as an analyst.
In recent years, he’s been a regular on Sky Sports – delivering his expert opinion.
While he remains outspoken on his podcast Formula For Success, alongside David Coulthard.
Long may we continue hearing Jordan’s expertise on the world of F1.