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Formula 1 world champion Alan Jones dies aged 80

Summarised from 8 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 11:57 · Archive

Alan Jones, who won the 1980 Formula 1 world championship with Williams, has died aged 80 following a short illness.

Alan Jones, the 1980 Formula 1 world champion, has died aged 80. His wife, Amanda Butler-Davis, announced his death on 5 November following a short illness. The Daily Mail reports that Jones had been diagnosed with cancer just weeks before his death.

Jones won 12 grands prix across his Formula 1 career and remains the last Australian to be crowned world champion. He was the second Australian to win the F1 title, after Sir Jack Brabham. Jones was also the first Williams driver to win the world championship, beginning what would become a dominant era for the team.

Born in Melbourne in 1946, Jones moved to Europe in 1970 to pursue his motor racing dream. He made his Formula 1 debut in 1975 for Hesketh, and claimed his maiden F1 win in Austria in 1977 driving for Shadow. He joined Williams in 1978 and found greater success, finishing third in the drivers' championship in 1979 before winning the title the following year.

In 1980, Jones won five grands prix—Argentina, France, Britain, Canada and the United States—and finished on the podium in all but one of the races he completed. This dominant season secured the world title with one race remaining. He retired from racing at the end of 1981, when he claimed his final race victory in Las Vegas.

During his career, Jones also raced competitively in other formats until 2002. He competed in 116 Formula 1 races between 1975 and 1986, and remains the most recent Australian to triumph at the Australian Grand Prix, winning at Melbourne's Calder Park Raceway in 1980 when that race was not part of the world championship.

In a statement released through Motorsport Australia, Butler-Davis said: 'We are extremely saddened to announce the passing of our beloved Alan, who passed away on 5 November following a short illness. 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.'

She continued: 'Alan dedicated his life to motorsport, building a legacy that will live on through the countless people he touched along the way. Through his achievements, passion and unmistakable character, both on and off the track, Alan left an enduring mark on the sport both nationally and across the globe.' Jones is survived by his wife and six children.

Formula 1 world champion Alan Jones dies aged 80
Image: Independent World

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In this story: Alan Jones · Sir Jack Brabham · Williams · Shadow · Hesketh · Nelson Piquet · Gilles Villeneuve · Melbourne

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log