Formula 1 is mourning the loss of a true giant. Alan Jones, the 1980 World Champion who put Williams on the map, has passed away at the age of 80 on Thursday.
Australians stick together, and Oscar Piastri led the paddock's tributes ahead of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. Jones was Australia's most recent World Champion, a status Piastri acknowledged while remembering a man defined by a straight-to-the-point personality. Piastri had the rare honor of driving Jones's title-winning machine, noting how the veteran embodied a uniquely tough Australian spirit.
That machine changed everything. Alongside team mate Carlos Reutemann, Jones claimed five Grand Prix victories over a dramatic season to deliver Williams their maiden drivers' and constructors' titles. His work alongside team boss Sir Frank Williams and technical chief Sir Patrick Head forged a legendary powerhouse.
Current Williams drivers also marked the heavy loss. Carlos Sainz noted that Jones remains a foundational figure in the team's history, while Alex Albon called him a legend who pushed the outfit forward in countless ways. Damon Hill, who later became the sixth of seven drivers to claim a title with the British squad, also honored the path Jones cleared before him.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown shared a personal memory of the racer's prowess, recalling how Jones fueled his own lasting passion for motorsport. Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali remembered a formidable competitor, a natural leader, and an icon who inspired generations of fans in his beloved Australia.
Jones leaves behind a legacy etched permanently into the history books. The entire motorsport family sends its condolences to his family and loved ones.
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