What Eddie Jordan once said about his ‘legacy’ in Formula 1 resurfaces after his passing

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Eddie Jordan had the pleasure of running a Formula 1 team for 15 seasons between 1991 and 2005, making his mark on the sport in a unique way.

His striking yellow cars stuck in the memory of fans, while his 7UP machine is not only synonymous with Michael Schumacher’s debut but also for being one of the greatest liveries ever.

Jordan enjoyed his best season in the sport back in 1999 when Heinz-Harald Frentzen finished third in the drivers’ championship after taking two victories.

Jordan Grand Prix would crash back down to earth in 2000 with just two podiums and sixth in the constructors’ standings. Sadly, they were never able to return to the top.

Amazingly, Jordan admitted Michael Jackson helped him secure an F1 sponsor after the cancellation of a tour, despite originally being rejected.

READ MORE: What Eddie Jordan said about Michael Schumacher before handing him his Formula 1 debut in 1991

Eddie Jordan admitted his Formula 1 ‘legacy’ was his well-run team

Speaking on the Beyond the Grid podcast in 2018, Jordan shared what he felt his legacy in the sport would be.

“Some people will probably look to the rock and roll image and think that was it. I think the yellow car of Jordan.

“Of course, when I say the yellow car, my favourite of all time was the 7up Michael Schumacher car. That was a very pretty car. My legacy is that I was able to come into it with very little and I left it with more than I came in.

“However, that’s not important. In that time, every single member of staff got paid. Every single supplier got paid and generally, where possible, absolutely on time.”

His Formula 1 team are better known as Aston Martin today. The last victory they took was back in 2020 as Racing Point. It was their only win in the last 25 years.

READ MORE: 46-race F1 driver needed £30-a-night hotel to ‘survive’ before signing breakthrough contract in 2005

Eddie Jordan reveals the ridiculous demand Damon Hill made to join his F1 team

Jordan had multiple world champions drive for his team, including one of the greatest of all time. He also gave chances to other great drivers such as Rubens Barrichello and Eddie Irvine.

Hill made a ‘ridiculous’ wage demand to join Jordan for the 1998 season, which was paid for by their sponsor at the time – Benson & Hedges.

The £5 million was deemed worth it and he went on to race for them for two seasons. He helped them to claim their first win at the 1998 Belgian Grand Prix – a one-two finish.

Hill retired as a Jordan driver at the age of 39 in 1999, after new teammate Frentzen thoroughly outperformed him.

The Irish team boss was most pleased that he didn’t have to pay the 1996 Formula 1 world champion’s salary.