Jordan and Briatore reveal tension after Schumacher's debut

Tension between Jordan and Briatore 

Despite Schumacher not completing a racing lap on his debut, he was already being spoken about as a massive talent. Because of this, Eddie Jordan wanted to keep the young German, but admitted on his Formula For Success podcast with David Coulthard “I realized that I wasn't going to be able to stay in business and keep Michael”.

Flavio Briatore, Benetton's team principal, eventually signed Schumacher for his Benetton team. Jordan and Briatore revealed the conversations that took place around signing an inexperienced driver. 

Jordan stated "Of course, there was friction [between himself and Briatore]. Of course, there was aggravation. Of course, I went to the courts in Italy!" Jordan also revealed whilst speaking to Briatore that he "didn't want [Roberto] Moreno. He wanted to keep [Nelson] Piquet. Tom Walkinshaw, he wanted Martin Brundle and Bernie [Ecclestone] went mad!"

Jordan continued to say that it was Ecclestone who made Schumachers move to Benetton possible before Braitore went into detail about why the engineers were sceptical about signing Schumacher. 

"First, Micheal was very young. Remember the philosophy of the engineering at the time. Formula One drivers were always 28/29/30, always experienced. So the engineer wanted Martin Brundle at the time, because Martin had a few years of Formula One already, and he was a very good friend with Tom. In the end, we have the fight. In one side with you, another one side with Tom Walkinshaw, it was full capacity of fighting together. But in the end, Eddie, we did this also many times about Schumacher. After that, I think so me and you, we have always had a good relationship in Formula One.”

Schumacher went on to win two drivers titles with the Benetton team in 1994 and 1995, before moving to Ferrari in 1996 where he won 5 consecutive drivers titles.