From BBC News · · 2m
Alan Jones, Williams' first F1 champion, dies at 80
The Australian driver who won the 1980 world title and helped establish Williams as a force in Formula 1 has died following a short illness.
In brief
The Australian driver who won the 1980 world title and helped establish Williams as a force in Formula 1 has died following a short illness. Alan Jones, the last Australian and first Williams driver to win the Formula 1 world title, has died at the age of 80. Originally reported by BBC News.
Alan Jones dies at 80
Alan Jones, the last Australian and first Williams driver to win the Formula 1 world title, has died at the age of 80.
His wife announces the death
Jones passed away on 5 November following a short illness.His wife Amanda Butler-Davis said he will be dearly missed by those closest to him and the many fans whose support he was always grateful for.
“He will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by those closest to him, as well as the many fans whose support he was always grateful for.”
A 12-year F1 career
Jones raced in Formula 1 between 1975 and 1986, starting his first of 116 races in a Hesketh at the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix. He won 12 grands prix in his career.
His breakthrough at Shadow
Jones won his first race for the Shadow team in Austria in 1977, beating Niki Lauda's Ferrari. He joined Williams the following year.
The 1980 championship year
After finishing third in the drivers' championship in 1979, Jones won five races in 1980 and finished on the podium in all but one grand prix he completed, taking the title ahead of Nelson Piquet.
Last Australian to win at home
Jones remains the most recent Australian to triumph at the Australian Grand Prix, winning at Melbourne's Calder Park Raceway in 1980 when the race was not part of the world championship.
His final victory and retirement
Jones finished third in the drivers' standings in 1981, winning in Las Vegas for what proved to be his final race victory. He retired at the end of the season at age 34.
A failed comeback attempt
Jones made a one-off appearance for Arrows in 1983, then a full-time comeback with Haas in 1985 and 1986. The project was not a success and collapsed at the end of 1986.
His lasting legacy in motorsport
Jones continued to compete in touring car and endurance races into his 50s and became a popular motorsports pundit on television in Australia. His wife said he dedicated his life to motorsport.
“Alan dedicated his life to motorsport, building a legacy that will live on through the countless people he touched along the way.”
The takeaway
Alan Jones, the last Australian and first Williams driver to win the Formula 1 world title, has died at the age of 80.
