Alan Jones, 1980 F1 World Champion, Passes Away at 80
Alan Jones MBE, the 1980 Formula One World Champion, has passed away at the age of 80, just days after celebrating his birthday. The announcement came via a family statement on November 5, following a brief illness.
Jones, best known for his dominance with the Williams team, secured his championship after a fierce battle with Nelson Piquet. He clinched the title at the final race of the season at Watkins Glen, finishing the year with five Grand Prix victories, part of a total of 12 wins throughout his illustrious 12-year F1 career.
His racing accomplishments extended beyond Formula One, featuring successful stints in various categories, including five wins for Shadow in the 1977 Austrian Grand Prix, and a triumphant season in the Australian GT Championship in 1982, where he won all nine races in a Porsche 935.
Jones also made a mark in Can-Am racing, becoming the 1978 Champion with Carl Haas’s team, before returning to F1 with Haas. His versatility was evident in his participation across disciplines, including the World Sportscar Championship, touring cars, and two attempts at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans, achieving a best finish of sixth in 1984.
In Australian touring cars, Jones achieved notable success as both a driver and team owner, securing wins at the Bathurst 1000 and a second-place finish in the Championship in 1993. He capped a successful career with an overall victory in the 1993 Bathurst 12 Hour.
Jones was known for his straightforward demeanor, a quality that endeared him to fans and set him apart as an engaging commentator later in his career.
Motorsport Australia President Alan Fraser reflected on Jones’s legacy, stating, “Alan Jones was one of the most significant figures in Australian motorsport history… His contribution to our sport will be remembered for generations.”
Jones is survived by his wife, Amanda, and their children, Christian, Amber, Zara, Jack, Camilla, and Emma. His legacy within motorsport is firmly cemented, remembered not just for his on-track achievements but for his character and passion for the sport.
