Jordan: Lawrence Stroll is the smartest instrument in F1

The Irishman founded the eponymous Jordan team in 1991, selling it to Midland Group in 2005.

That team subsequently went through a number of different owners before it was bought by Stroll in 2018 and was rebadged under the Aston Martin name over the winter.

After building a reputation for punching above their weight, team Silverstone took a step forward last season, earning their first race win since the Jordan days and only just missing out on third place in the constructors' championship.

“Never, ever rule out the father, Lawrence Stroll," Jordan told The Race. "He has that Midas touch, everything he does he turns to gold.

“He is the smartest instrument in Formula 1 at the moment, without any question.”

The team have certainly been aggressive in their pursuit of success since Stroll's arrival, and although the new factory has been delayed until 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, hopes are high for new driver signing Sebastian Vettel.

In addition to the four-time world champion, they entered into a lucrative partnership with IT giant Cognizant over the off-season, their new title sponsor.

What has impressed Jordan though is the loyalty of key team members who have remained with the team since the early days and gone through the highs and the lows.

“What I love about it is the loyalty,” he added. “Andy Green is there, people like Andy Stevenson – he came to me in 1984 or ’85, and his story is ridiculous.

“I kind of gave him a rubbish job on Johnny Herbert’s car and then a better job on [Jean] Alesi’s car and then he went up on [Michael] Schumacher’s car. And he stayed there, he’s never moved, and he is now sporting director of the team.

“That’s the kind of thing I love. I love loyalty. Andy Green, let’s see what he can produce, and what he can make – they’ve got the Mercedes engine and the technical collaboration. They will be very strong.”