Ian Phillips, former sales director of Jordan GP: “Eddie Jordan brought another dimension!”

Did you know each other before working together?

I first met him in 1975. I was then editor-in-chief of the magazine at Motorsport. Every Wednesday and Thursday, my colleagues and I used to meet in a pub, and those who wanted to be known to the in-house journalists would come and buy their rounds. That's how this young F. Ford driver arrived, who had no doubts about anything, and certainly not about the fact that he would one day be world champion. That's what Eddie told me a few days later when he knocked on my door.

What was it like working with Eddie, fun all the time or sometimes complicated?

Overall, it was fun! The first few years in F1 until the deal with Peugeot (1995) we had no money. We were in survival mode. With Peugeot, we got the free engine, a budget to expand and the financial stability we lacked. That said, despite the difficulties, no one was unhappy. As soon as Gary Anderson (then technical director. Ed.) If I wanted to do something or needed anything, he never said no. It could take a few weeks, but he always gave us satisfaction. If we could convince him it was the right thing to do, he would say yes.

Was there an "Eddie's touch" when it came to management?

Oh! Yes. He had his style, very Irish and inimitable! Not always on target, but no one ever complained. We never fell out with anyone. F1 was different then, we were at war for two hours on Sunday, but the rest of the time, we spent pleasant moments together, with Flavio Briatore, with Tom Walkinshaw and Bernie (Ecclestone) with whom we had a great relationship. His style was out of place, but ultimately, everyone applauded what he had achieved. We were there to win, but when that was impossible, we did everything to satisfy our partners in another way. It helped give F1 another dimension.

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