Alan Jones, 1980 F1 champion with Williams, dies

Formula 1 bids farewell to Alan Jones. The Australian died today, Thursday 5 November, at the age of 80, after a short illness. The news was announced by the family and confirmed by Motorsport Australia; in the message read out by his wife Amanda Butler-Davis it says: «He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by those closest to him, as well as by the many fans whose support he always appreciated.»

Jones was born in Melbourne on 2 November 1946 and was the son of Stan, winner of the 1959 Australian Grand Prix. In pursuit of the World Championship he had moved to Europe in the early Seventies and in 1973 had found a place in British Formula 3 with GRD, finishing the championship in second place after victory at Silverstone.

His Formula 1 debut came in 1975 at the wheel of the Hesketh. He then moved to Surtees and then to Shadow, with which he took his first world victory: the 1977 Austrian Grand Prix, which also remained the team's only one in the World Championship. From 1978 his story became intertwined with Williams, the team with which he would link his name to the title.

The year of the title

The season that gave him the World Championship was 1980. Jones took five victories and finished ahead of everyone at the wheel of Williams, in the battle with Nelson Piquet. For the English team it was the first world title, a milestone that forever etched the Australian's name into the history of the team.

In his career Jones took 12 victories and 24 podiums in Formula 1. According to Motorsport.com, he was regarded as one of the toughest and most determined drivers of his era, capable of leaving a deep mark both in Australia and in international motorsport.