Formula 1 is mourning the loss of Alan Jones, the fierce Australian racer who claimed the 1980 Formula 1 World Championship with Williams. Born on November 2 1946 in Melbourne, Australia, 'Jonesy' first stepped onto the F1 grid at the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix running with the Hesketh squad.
Throughout his career, he would pilot machines for Surtees, Beatrice Lola, Hill, and the Shadow team, securing his maiden victory with Shadow at the 1977 Austrian Grand Prix. Yet it was alongside Williams that his legacy was truly forged, becoming a firm favourite of team boss Sir Frank Williams and technical chief Sir Patrick Head.
Jones delivered crucial milestones for the constructor, taking the team’s first podium at Watkins Glen in 1978 and their first pole position at Silverstone in 1979. He dominated the 1980 season with five victories out of 14 rounds, clinching the crown to become Australia’s second World Champion following Sir Jack Brabham, with 11 of his 12 career F1 victories achieved in Williams colours.
Sir Patrick Head recalled in a 2012 interview, “Alan was the greatest fun, a terrific driver. Alan was already a Grand Prix winner, and his arrival [at Williams] made us say, ‘We’d better shape up here’. It wasn’t as if we weren’t already working hard, but it gave us a focus that maybe we hadn’t had before.”
After stepping away from Formula 1 competition in 1986, Jones carved out a successful second career as a broadcaster in his native Australia. A statement released by the Williams team honoured his monumental impact: “Everyone at Williams is deeply saddened to learn of Alan Jones’ passing. Alan was instrumental in making Williams what it is today, forming an extraordinary bond with Frank Williams and Patrick Head to become our first Drivers' World Champion in just our fourth season in Formula 1.
“He set the standard for Williams champions: a fast, uncompromising racer with a challenger mentality who loved motor racing and dedicated his life to it. He is a true Australian icon and a Williams legend, and he will be dearly missed. We send our love and thoughts to the Jones family and all his friends.”
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