Eddie Jordan claims a BBC producer 'went ballistic' after he spoke Irish with Michael Fassbender on an F1 grid walk a decade ago.
Jordan has been one of the biggest names in the sport ever since he founded his own team Jordan Grand Prix in 1991. He spent 15 years as team principal before spending another few years as a pundit on BBC's F1 coverage.
Part of Jordan's role in the BBC was to do the grid walk before the beginning of Grand Prix's. Similar to what Martin Brundle now does for Sky Sports, Jordan would speak to famous spectators ahead of the race's beginning.
READ MORE: F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone reignites Lewis Hamilton row ahead of Bahrain Grand Prix
On one such occasion, Jordan bumped into one of Kerry's most famous sons Michael Fassbender. As the movie star is a fluent Irish speaker, Jordan decided to share a couple of words in Irish with the beloved actor.
A harmless enough exchange. However, Jordan claimed recently on the first episode of David Coulthard's new podcast "Formula For Success," that one BBC producer wasn't happy with Irish being spoken live on air.
"Michael - even with such a strong German name - was actually brought up and educated in Kerry in Ireland. He's a fluent Irish speaker," Began Jordan.
"I remember going on the pitwalk in Montreal, and I started to speak as Gaeilge to Michael, as I normally would have done.
(A producer) "from the BBC went absolutely ballistic asking what I was doing speaking a foreign language on the great BBC?! I said, 'oh, get stuffed' - or whatever I said.
"Fassbender tells this story to everyone, because it was kind of unique that someone would just use the Irish language.
"You can't imagine how involved he is in Formula 1."
Thankfully, footage of the exchange exists on YouTube, and as you can see from the video below, the 'cúpla focal' extends to just a few opening pleasantries between the two men.
Jordan worked for the BBC while the broadcaster had the rights to show F1 from 2009-2015.
The Irish Mirror have approached the BBC for comment on the matter.
READ NEXT:
Katie Taylor sends Eddie Hearn public ultimatum over Dublin fight
Jack Kennedy to miss Cheltenham festival after failing to recover from broken leg in time
Conor McGregor slams 'dishonourable' fighters in late night social media rant
Stephen Kenny pinpoints when Kylian Mbappé is at his most dangerous ahead of France clash
Chris Farrell set for move to France after Munster release the Irish star
Get the latest sports news straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
