Alan Jones, the 1980 Formula 1 world champion, has died aged 80 after a short illness. The Australian driver’s shock exit at the end of 1981 paved the way for Keke Rosberg to claim the 1982 title with Williams. Jones became the first champion for team founders Frank Williams and Patrick Head’s fledgling squad, winning four of the final six Grands Prix that season and finishing third overall.
Born in Melbourne in 1946, he followed his father Stan’s footsteps, winning the 1959 Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park and repeating the feat at Calder Park in 1980. After early F3 success in Britain, Jones debuted in F1 with Hesketh in 1975, later joining Shadow, where he scored his first victory at the 1977 Austrian GP from 14th on the grid. A deal with Ferrari fell through, leading him to Williams, where he notched 12 race wins, six poles and 24 podiums before hanging up his helmet in 1981.
He later competed in GT, sportscars, CART and V8 Supercars, achieving a best second place at Bathurst in 1993, and worked as an F1 TV commentator. Jones was awarded an MBE for services to motorsport.
Source: Autosport F1 News · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing