Alan Jones, the 1980 Formula One world champion, has died aged 80. His wife, Amanda Butler-Davis, said he died on 5 November after a short illness in a statement released through Motorsport Australia.
Jones won 12 Grands Prix during a career spanning 10 seasons. Driving for Williams, he secured the championship in 1980, becoming only the second Australian to win the title after Sir Jack Brabham. He remains the last Australian to be crowned F1 world champion.
He won five races in his title-winning season: in Argentina, France, Britain, Canada and the United States. Five further podium finishes helped him clinch the championship with one race remaining.
Born in Melbourne, Jones moved to Europe in 1970 to pursue motor racing. He joined the Formula 3 team GRD in 1973 and made his Formula One debut with Hesketh in 1975. His first F1 victory came at the 1977 Austrian Grand Prix, driving for Shadow. He joined Williams the following year and retired from racing in 1986.
In her statement, Butler-Davis said Jones would be remembered by his family, friends and fans, and described his contribution to motorsport as a lasting legacy. He is survived by his wife and six children: Christian, Amber, Zara, Jack, Camilla and Emma.
Sources: The Guardian Sport.