Alan Jones, who won the Formula 1 World Championship in 1980, has died on the Gold Coast at the age of 80 after a brief illness. The news was communicated by his wife, Amanda Butler-Davis, in a statement highlighting his legacy in the world of motorsport.
“We are extremely sad to announce the passing of our beloved Alan, who left us on November 5 after a brief illness,” said Butler-Davis. “He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by those who were closest to him, as well as by the many fans who always showed their support.”
Alan Jones was born in Melbourne in 1946 and was the son of racer Stan Jones. He witnessed his father’s victory at the Australian Grand Prix in 1959 and repeated the feat in 1980, becoming the last Australian driver to win this race, considered the second oldest in the world.
After starting his career in Great Britain during the 1960s, Jones made the leap to Formula 1 in 1975 with the Hesketh team. He found success in 1977 with Shadow, where he achieved a spectacular victory in Austria. Jones also continued his career with Williams, where he made history by winning five races, including in Argentina, France, and Great Britain, culminating in the triumph of the world title.
During his career, he also collaborated with Graham Hill and spent time with other teams, such as Surtees and Arrows, before retiring from the racing world. In addition, he found a new path as a television commentator, where he continued to contribute to the sport he loved so much.
Jones was awarded the MBE for his contribution to the motorsport world in 1980 and was inducted into the Australian Sports Hall of Fame in 1985. He is survived by his wife and six children.
Reported by FormulaRapidaAI
SourceID: SRC_bdf949c8ff9646f6ea81e4718548985acf350b14