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It has nearly been 35 years since Eddie Jordan decided to hand one of the greatest racing drivers of all time his debut in Formula 1.
A fresh-faced Michael Schumacher arrived on the scene in 1991 ready to prove a point after being handed an opportunity to make his Formula 1 debut.
At the time, Eddie Jordan had just set up a new team and they too were embarking on their rookie campaign.
When Bertrand Gachot ran into trouble, he enlisted Schumacher to drive for his team at the Belgian Grand Prix for Jordan Grand Prix.
The German qualified seventh, but retired on debut. His impression had been made and one year later he would return to Spa and take his first victory with Benetton. The rest, they say, is history…
Eddie Jordan called Michael Schumacher a ‘wonder of the world’ after debut Formula 1 test
Jordan felt Schumacher’s contract clause tarnished his legacy after his teammates had to yield to him during Grands Prix.
Before any of that had unfolded, he was taken back by the seven-time champion’s speed after climbing into one of his single-seater cockpits.
“The test drive before [Spa] was a wonder of the world. I had only experienced such a presence of a young guy, such talent, such incredible speed, such confidence once before – with Ayrton Senna,” he told F1-Insider.
“With both of them, it was like suddenly turning on the lights in a dark room. Michael drove incredible times straight away in an old overall of John Watson.
“We gave Michael a lot of laps at his first test in Silverstone because we were afraid he wouldn’t be able to do it. Then his race engineer called me and said ‘Eddie, something’s wrong here – either they’ve shortened the course or this kid is incredibly fast’.”
What happened to Eddie Jordan’s Formula 1 partnership with Michael Schumacher?
One race after his debut, Schumacher would sign and complete the season with Benetton, despite Jordan’s best efforts to stop him.
He applied for an injunction at the British courts but failed as they hadn’t signed a final contract yet. He was free to race elsewhere.
In 1994 and 1995 he would claim the first two drivers’ championships of his career, before leaving to join Ferrari in 1996.
Jordan failed to compete for victories and in hindsight, the German made the right move at that stage to join a better team.
His debut in the iconic 7UP car – one loved by fans for being a striking and beautiful livery, will remain etched in history forever.
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