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By Shane Croucher
Senior Editor
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Tributes have poured in for Formula 1 legend Eddie Jordan, who has died aged 76.
Jordan's death was announced in a statement from his family. The Irishman had been undergoing treatment for what he had called "quite aggressive" cancer of the bladder and prostate that had spread to his spine and pelvis.
The statement said Jordan "passed away peacefully with family by his side in Cape Town" in the early hours of Thursday morning.
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Eddie Jordan and F1
Jordan operated his own racing team in lower-level series before moving up to F1 when he founded Jordan Grand Prix in 1991. There, Jordan nurtured the racing careers of F1 world champions including Michael Schumacher, who he gave his debut.
His other drivers over the years included Damon Hill, who won the 1996 championship with Williams, future Ferrari driver Rubens Barrichello, and Heinz-Harald Frentzen, who was third in the championship for Jordan in 1999.
Jordan sold the team in 2005—which years later became the Aston Martin team—after winning four Grand Prix races and became a television pundit covering the sport.
Often known simply as "EJ," his humor, strong opinions, and often extravagant dress sense made Jordan a popular pundit.
Eddie Jordan Tributes
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"He was working until the last, having communicated on St Patrick's Day about his ambitions for London Irish Rugby Football Club, of which he had recently become patron," the Jordan family's statement said.
It said Eddie and Jordan Grand Prix "were known for their rock and roll image, bringing a fun and exciting element to F1, as well as consistently performing above their weight."
"EJ brought an abundance of charisma, energy and Irish charm everywhere he went. We all have a huge hole missing without his presence," the statement said.
"He will be missed by so many people, but he leaves us with tonnes of great memories to keep us smiling through our sorrow."
F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali said he was "deeply saddened" by the news of Jordan's death.
"With his inexhaustible energy he always knew how to make people smile, remaining genuine and brilliant at all times," Domenicali said in a statement.
"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."
Aston Martin team principal Andy Cowell called Jordan "one of the all-time motorsport greats".
"He was a one-off, a wonderful human being, and a charismatic leader who founded this team and took it to F1 in 1991," Cowell said in a statement. "His vision laid the foundations for us and he leaves a lasting legacy for the entire motorsport community."
Christian Horner, the CEO and Team Principal of Red Bull Racing, also paid tribute to Jordan in a post on Instagram.
"Very sorry to hear Eddie Jordan has sadly passed. Eddie was a hugely colourful character who I first met in 1991 as a young driver at his then new factory after his first year in Formula One," Horner wrote.
"His advice, 'get a good sponsor... welcome to the Piranha Club!'
"I was fortunate to overlap with him when I came into Formula One. He was in the twilight of his F1 career race wise (indeed he even tried to sell me his team!) but went into other media activities where he was always full of energy and fun to work with.
"Formula One has lost a legend and we will miss his wit and his Irish charm. On behalf of Oracle Red Bull Racing we send our sincere condolences to Marie and the children at this sad time; our thoughts are with them.
"God speed Eddie!"
This article includes reporting by The Associated Press.
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