Australian Formula One world champion Alan Jones dies aged 80
Alan Jones, the 1980 Formula One world champion, died on 5 November aged 80 after a short illness. Born in Melbourne, he moved to Europe in 1970 to pursue a career in motor racing and made his Formula One debut with Hesketh in 1975, after joining the GRD Formula 3 team in 1973.
Jones took his first F1 victory at the 1977 Austrian Grand Prix while driving for Shadow. He joined Williams in 1978, where his career reached its peak. In 1980, he won five grands prix—in Argentina, France, Britain, Canada and the United States—and added five further podium finishes. His results secured the championship with one race remaining, making him only the second Australian world champion after Sir Jack Brabham.
Across 10 seasons, Jones won 12 grands prix before retiring from racing in 1986. He remains the last Australian to win the Formula One world title. His wife, Amanda Butler-Davis, announced his death through Motorsport Australia, describing his lasting impact on the sport and thanking those who had supported him. Jones is survived by Amanda and their children, Christian, Amber, Zara, Jack, Camilla and Emma.
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