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Eddie Jordan - 'I didn't want Schumacher'

Eddie & Michael

Eddie Jordan did not want to give seven time world champion Michael Schumacher his debut at Spa back in 1991, the retreated F1 team owner admitted. He told F1 Racing magazine that, with the imprisoned Bertrand Gachot's seat vacant, the more sensible sub was Sweden's Stefan Johansson.

"I chose Michael because he could pay," EJ said. "I told Stefan, 'If I can get money for this guy, he's in'. I'd have preferred an experienced driver ... to bring the car home, to be honest."

Jordan also implied that Bernie Ecclestone, instrumental in Michael's immediate (and controversial) switch to Benetton, used Schumacher to 'crack' the German market.

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