Eddie Jordan and Ayrton Senna had a brilliant relationship in Formula 1 and the Brazilian icon played a role in helping him sign one of his most successful drivers.
Jordan has previously shared that he offered half of his F1 team to Ayrton Senna for free such is the respect he had for the triple world champion.
Speaking on the Formula For Success Podcast, Eddie Jordan has revealed that Senna’s eye for talent was very useful to his F1 team.
Jordan Grand Prix were synonymous with discovering some of the best talent in F1 during the 1990s and 2000s.
Michael Schumacher famously made his debut in F1 for Jordan before being signed by Benetton immediately after his debut.
Eddie Irvine, Ralf Schumacher, Alex Zanardi and Takuma Sato were all brought into the world of Formula 1 by Jordan.
However, Jordan has admitted that it was Ayrton Senna who convinced him he should sign Rubens Barrichello.
The Brazilian joined the grid in 1993 before his 21 birthday but went on to be one of the longest-serving drivers in the sport.
Ayrton Senna told Eddie Jordan to sign Rubens Barrichello
Formula 1 has always had a rich history of featuring incredibly quick Brazilian drivers.
Both Ayrton Senna and Nelson Piquet won three world championships, while Emerson Fittipaldi won the title twice.
In more recent times, Rubens Barrichello and Felipe Massa have flown the flag for Brazil.
Massa came within a couple of corners of winning the 2008 title before Lewis Hamilton overtook Timo Glock.
Barrichello finished 2 behind Ferrari teammate Michael Schumacher in 2002 and 2004 but was always in the team to support the legendary German.
His career spanned nearly two decades and at one point held the record for entering more Grand Prix than any other driver.
Eddie Jordan was delighted with what he saw from Barrichello after Senna’s recommendation.
The tragedy is that Senna only raced alongside his fellow countryman for just over a season before he was killed at the San Marino Grand Prix in 1994.
Rubens Barrichello one of F1’s best support drivers
Talking about how hiring Barrichello came about, Jordan said: “Ayrton [Senna] was the main reason I signed Rubens [Barrichello].
“He was a 19-year-old and as you well know David [Coulthard], you probably know him because he’s not far removed from your vintage of when you were around at the time.
“Ayrton pointed out to me and said, ‘Look, yes go, take a chance, you will really not regret it.’
“No one had really heard about him at this stage and I took the chance and he was right.
“Rubens was a great addition to the Jordan team.”
Senna’s relationship with Barrichello was explained by Jordan who talked about his huge accident at Imola in 1994.
In practice, Barrichello was hospitalised during practice after a big crash and Jordan said that the three-time world champion was at the hospital before he could get there despite taking part in the session himself.
It was a tragic weekend for Formula 1, with Roland Ratzenberger killed in qualifying the day before Senna’s accident.
Formula 1 will honour their legacy at the upcoming race, with Sebastian Vettel set to drive Senna’s 1993 McLaren at the track.
Pierre Gasly has also honoured Senna with his race helmet which will be a popular sight with fans at the track.
The post ‘Great addition’: Eddie Jordan says Ayrton Senna was the ‘main reason’ he signed 11-win F1 driver for Jordan appeared first on F1 Oversteer.