'The sport has lost a true legend': Eddie Jordan dies aged 76

Tributes have been paid from across Formula One after the death of the former team owner Eddie Jordan, aged 76.

- Giles Richards

The Irishman defied the odds to bring his independent Jordan team into the sport and went on to achieve notable successes such as four grand prix wins, including one for Damon Hill, and giving Michael Schumacher his first seat in F1.

Jordan, popularly known as "EJ", had been diagnosed with bladder and prostate cancer in December of last year that had spread to his spine and pelvis. His family released a statement yesterday morning announcing he had passed away peacefully at his home in Cape Town. "EJ brought an abundance of charisma, energy and Irish charm everywhere he went," they said. "He will be missed by so many people, but he leaves us with tons of great memories to keep us smiling through our sorrow."

Hill, who took the team's debut F1 victory at Spa in 1998, described Jordan as a true legend. "Eddie was chaotic and a genius all at the same time. He had the energy of 100 men. There will only ever be one EJ," he said. "He had a way of getting himself into your life. He was extraordinary and brilliant. He enriched life around him. The sport has lost a true legend and we have lost a true friend."