Beloved F1 icon Eddie Jordan dies aged 76 after cancer battle

Formula 1 legend Eddie Jordan has passed away at the age of 76 after a year-long battle with aggressive prostate cancer.

The Irishman, who announced his diagnosis last December, died peacefully in Cape Town surrounded by his family.

A statement from his family read: "It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Eddie Jordan OBE, the ex-Formula 1 team owner, TV pundit and entrepreneur. He passed away peacefully with family by his side in Cape Town in the early hours of March 20, 2025, at the age of 76, after battling with an aggressive form of prostate cancer for the past 12 months."

The statement continued: "EJ brought an abundance of charisma, energy and Irish charm everywhere he went. We all have a huge hole missing without his presence. He will be missed by so many people, but he leaves us with tonnes of great memories to keep us smiling through our sorrow."

Jordan made a name for himself in the F1 world in the early 1990s with his eponymous team, Jordan Grand Prix, which debuted in 1991 and gave Michael Schumacher his first taste of the sport. The team achieved some success, including winning races, but its fortunes declined after the turn of the century.

Jordan sold the team to the Midland Group in 2005 and went on to pursue a media career, becoming a key figure in the BBC's F1 coverage.

In December, speaking on his Formula For Success podcast with ex-F1 driver David Coulthard, Jordan revealed: "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.", reports the Mirror.

By February, he shared an update noting that he was "not himself" due to his treatment. He continued working tirelessly until the end when, on Thursday ahead of the weekend's Chinese Grand Prix, Jordan's family confirmed his passing.

As news spread, heartfelt tributes began to surface for the much-admired F1 personality. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali expressed the sport's mourning by saying: "We are deeply saddened to hear about the sudden loss of Eddie Jordan.

"With his inexhaustible energy he always knew how to make people smile, remaining genuine and brilliant at all times. Eddie has been a protagonist of an era of F1 and he will be deeply missed. In this moment of sorrow, my thoughts and those of the entire Formula 1 family are with his family and loved ones."

Sky Sports analyst Karun Chandhok honoured Jordan by posting a photo of him and captioning it, "There will never be another like him. Sleep well EJ."

Meanwhile, his Sky Sports colleague, commentator David Croft, mourned the legend as well, saying: "He was a legend and we all loved him and my god are we going to miss him. Sleep well EJ and thank you for making all of our lives so much better for having known you."

From the Shanghai paddock, former F1 driver Martin Brundle, who raced for Jordan's team in both Formula 1 and the junior ranks, expressed his sorrow: "I'm really sad to hear that Eddie has succumbed to his illness. He's not been feeling well for quite a while now, but it has taken him relatively quickly. He was such a character and we will miss him a lot.

"I first raced for Eddie in Formula 3 in 1983 when we hardly had a pound between us. How he hustled to get the car and transporter and everything together, and we had a great season - that sums him up.

"There are so many drivers in this paddock and formerly on the grid in Formula 1 who need to thank him, the likes of Eddie Irvine, Jean Alesi - many of us who Eddie gave a chance in junior racing and in promoting us like crazy to get us Formula 1 seats."