Jordan mourns death of the privateer

Eddie Jordan believes he is the last of a breed of privateers who entered Formula One with their own money and beat the sport’s best.

The Irishman’s racing team stepped up to the top in 1991 and won four grands prix, making him the last man to do so without an alliance with a major manufacturer.

Jordan turned his back on Formula One at the end of last season when the financial pressures on his team left them at the back of the grid, fighting with fellow cash-strapped privateers Minardi.

He has returned to the sporting stage this weekend though, in golf’s BMW International Championship in Munich, where he will caddie for Paul McGinley.

Asked whether privateers have a future in Formula One, he said: “We are being wonderfully hosted here by BMW. Ask them what they spend on their BMW programme and then think what a privateer could achieve. It is just not in the same league.

“Having said that I have no regrets. I have had an unbelievable life, great opportunity to pursue a career and be paid for it in the bargain.

“When the team got sold, I felt I no longer had the ability to win. I felt I had more success with drivers than I did with the team.

“Yes we won grands prix but having people like Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill, all world champions, in my car was a big thing for me and I felt I had some influence in how their careers unfolded as a lot of them started with me.”

Jordan, whose team are ranked 11th on the all-time list of most experienced Formula One constructors, insists he is not missing life as a team principal.

The Silverstone-based outfit almost went out of business before being taken over by Midland last winter and Jordan is happy away from the limelight after a career in motorsport.

He added: “I have been involved for 35 years. I did my first race in 1970 so 35 years in a sport I absolutely love and that has been incredibly kind to me.

“But there are certain things I want to do before I reach an age I would be excluded from. Being a caddie is a young man’s sport. It is a very serious sport.”