Grapevine: Jordan Receives Honourary Doctorate

Formula One team chief Eddie Jordan was on Wednesday given an honourary doctorate for his services to international sport by the University of Ulster during a graduation ceremony in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

The energetic Irishman, who has worked his way up the motorsport ladder right to the pinnacle of Formula One, has also been an ambassador for his country and he attended the ceremony with wife Marie after flying out from London last night.

"Having worked with some of the sport's top drivers, I have learned that to succeed with your targets you need total belief in yourself," said Jordan in his acceptance speech.

Jordan was delighted to have received the honour, which was presented to him in the University ironically located in Jordanstown, and added: "I am thrilled to be honoured in this way."

McLaren technical director Adrian Newey is another Formula One name to have been given an honourary doctorate when he was rewarded for his work in engineering by his old university in Southampton in summer 2000.