Former racing driver and Formula 1 team owner Eddie Jordan is known for his striking statements. Sometimes the Irishman seems to judge too quickly, as he has now admitted.
Eddie Jordan completely misjudged Mercedes driver George Russell, as he confessed in the podcast “Formula For Success” in conversation with ex-driver David Coulthard. Coulthard had counted Russell among those young people in their mid-twenties in Formula 1 who could shake the throne of world champion Max Verstappen in the future.
“I was wrong about George,” Jordan bluntly admitted afterwards. “I misjudged him. When I saw him at the Williams I was like, ‘Are they really going to sign him? Is that really happening?’ He absolutely blew me away.”
Jordan completely misjudged Russell’s development. “I never thought he would do what he’s doing now, and I never thought he could beat Lewis.”
After five races in the 2023 season, George Russell is sixth behind Lewis Hamilton, who is fourth. However, he finished one place ahead of his teammate in Saudi Arabia and two places ahead in Miami.
Jordan brushes off Ricciardo
Meanwhile, there was no doubt about Max Verstappen’s talent, as Jordan pointed out: “I really believe that one day he can be the best Formula 1 driver of all time, provided he stays healthy over a long period of time.” There is currently no other driver in the field who can hold a candle to Verstappen in terms of aggressiveness, cleverness and handling.
Jordan also broke a lance for Verstappen’s teammate at Red Bull, Sergio Pérez. The Mexican is the Dutchman’s only competitor on his way to the world title.
“Checo does a magical job,” emphasized the Irishman. Despite all the speculation at the beginning of the season that reserve pilot Daniel Ricciardo could saw Pérez’s chair, he proved that he was better than the Australian: “I don’t think Ricciardo would have done what Checo is doing this season.”