Formula 1 Mourns the Loss of 1980 World Champion Alan Jones

The Formula 1 world mourns Alan Jones. The former Australian driver died on Thursday, November 5, at the age of 80, following a brief illness. His family announced his passing in a statement released by his wife, Amanda Butler-Davis. Jones became world champion in 1980 driving for Williams, going down in history as the second Australian to win the world title after Jack Brabham. Over the course of his career, he racked up 12 Grand Prix victories.

Born in Melbourne on November 2, 1946, Jones began his Formula 1 career in 1975 with Hesketh. His first victory came in 1977 at the Austrian Grand Prix, while racing for Shadow. The turning point in his career came with his move to Williams in 1978, the team with which he would achieve his greatest successes.

After four wins in 1979, the following season was the one that cemented his success. In 1980, Jones won five Grand Prix races, finishing first in the world championship standings ahead of Brazilian Nelson Piquet and securing Williams’ first-ever drivers’ title. This achievement helped transform the British team into one of Formula 1’s leading contenders.

After securing two more victories in 1981, the Australian initially left the series, later returning to race with Arrows and Haas. His last appearance in the World Championship was in 1986. He remained involved in the world of racing in the years that followed, competing in touring car and endurance races, before becoming a respected television commentator in Australia.

“Alan dedicated his life to motorsport, building a legacy that will stand the test of time,” his family recalled. With his passing, we lose one of the leading figures of an important era in Formula 1, as well as the last Australian driver to have won the world championship.