Alan Jones, the 1980 Formula 1 world champion and Australia’s last titleholder, has died at the age of 80.
Following a short illness, Jones died on 5 November, according to a family statement. The announcement came on Thursday, three days after he turned 80 on Monday.
We are extremely saddened to announce the passing of our beloved Alan, who passed away on 5 November following a short illness.
On the Gold Coast, Jones died. His death marks the end of an era for Australian motorsport: he remains the only local driver to win the sport’s premier prize since Sir Jack Brabham.
With Williams, Jones won the 1980 Formula 1 world title, securing the team's first drivers' championship. He was the second Australian to win the Formula 1 world championship, after Sir Jack Brabham.
Alan was instrumental in making Williams what it is today, forming an extraordinary bond with Frank Williams and Patrick Head to become our first Drivers’ World Champion in just our fourth season in Formula 1.
Jones's 1980 victories came at Argentina, France, Britain, Canada and the United States. He secured the world title with one race still to run.
Jones finished 13 points ahead of Nelson Piquet to take the 1980 title. His victory at the 1980 Australian Grand Prix at Calder Park was the most recent win by an Australian driver at home, said Jones.
His victory at the Australian Grand Prix that same year remains the last time an Australian driver has won their home grand prix.
In 1975, Jones made his Formula 1 debut in a privately-owned Hesketh. He won his first Formula 1 race at the 1977 Austrian Grand Prix for the Shadow team, which had its only Formula 1 win.
Williams signed Jones in 1978. He retired from Formula 1 after the 1981 season, having finished third in the drivers' championship and won in Las Vegas for his final race victory.
A one-off Formula 1 appearance for Arrows followed in 1983, then Jones made a full-time comeback with the Haas team in 1985 and 1986. He later raced in the Australian touring car championship that became Supercars, with a best result of second.
As a co-driver for Dick Johnson Racing, Jones took the wheel in the Bathurst 1000 in 2002, his final professional motor racing appearance. McLaren CEO Zak Brown recalled attending the 1981 Long Beach Grand Prix, which Jones won.
The first race I ever attended was the 1981 Long Beach Grand Prix – a spectacular race that Alan went on to win.
Brown said the experience kick-started his lifelong love for racing and F1, and that he feels incredibly proud to own Jones's championship race car.
Stan Jones, a businessman and racer, was the father of Jones, who was born in Melbourne in 1946. They are one of just three father-and-son combinations to have won the Australian Grand Prix.
Jones is survived by his wife Amanda Butler-Davis and six children: Christian, Amber, Zara, Jack, Camilla and Emma. Nine in Australia said Jones was diagnosed with cancer only weeks before his death.
Career Statistics
| Statistic | Figure |
|---|---|
| Grand Prix victories | 12 |
| Championship margin (1980) | 13 points over Nelson Piquet |
| Final F1 retirement | After 1981 season |
| Total race starts (Source A) | 117 |
| Total race starts (Source B) | 116 |
Historical Significance
With Williams, Jones won the 1980 Formula 1 world title, the team's first drivers' championship. He was the second Australian to win the Formula 1 world championship, after Sir Jack Brabham.
What we know
- Alan Jones died at the age of 80.
- He won the 1980 Formula 1 world championship.
- He died on 5 November.
Still unclear
- Exact cause of death remains unconfirmed beyond a short illness.
- Discrepancies exist regarding total race starts (116 vs 117).
- Exact year of best Supercars result (1993 vs 1995).
