Alan Jones, Williams' first Formula 1 world champion, dies aged 80
Alan Jones, who won the 1980 Formula 1 title with Williams, died on November 5, 2026 after a short illness, three days after his 80th birthday.
The essentials: Alan Jones, the Australian driver who won the 1980 Formula 1 world championship with Williams, died on Thursday, November 5, 2026, after a short illness. He was 80. His wife, Amanda Butler-Davis, announced his death in a statement released through Motorsport Australia, three days after his birthday on November 2.
Who was Alan Jones?
Born in Melbourne on November 2, 1946, according to the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), Jones made his Formula 1 debut at the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix with the Hesketh team. He scored his first victory for Shadow at the 1977 Austrian Grand Prix, then joined Williams in 1978, before the team had won a single race, MotorBiscuit recalls.
He finished third in the 1979 standings, then won the title the following year. Driving the Ford Cosworth-powered FW07B, he clinched the championship at the penultimate round of the 1980 season, according to RaceFans, after winning five races and beating Nelson Piquet. He became the second Australian world champion after Jack Brabham, and no Australian has won the title since.
What did his career add up to?
| Alan Jones in Formula 1 | |
|---|---|
| Seasons | 1975 to 1986 |
| Entries | 117 (116 Grands Prix according to the ACO) |
| Wins | 12 |
| Podiums | 24 |
| Pole positions | 6 |
| With Williams (1978-1981) | 11 wins from 60 starts, including all six poles |
| World title | 1980 |
Sources: MotorBiscuit, PlanetF1, Motorsport Week, ACO.
Jones finished third again in 1981 and retired from Formula 1 at the end of that season. He made a one-off return with Arrows in 1983, then came back with the new Haas team late in 1985 and raced a full season in 1986, his last. He then moved to the Australian Touring Car Championship.
He also raced twice at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In 1984 he finished sixth overall on his debut in a Kremer Racing Porsche 956 shared with Vern Schuppan and Jean-Pierre Jarier. In 1987 his Toyota retired during the second hour, the ACO says.
His 1980 Australian Grand Prix win at Calder Park, when the race was not part of the world championship, remains the last time an Australian has won his home Grand Prix, according to the Australian Grand Prix Corporation.
How has the sport reacted?
Williams led the tributes. “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,” the team said. It described him as “a fast, uncompromising racer with a challenger mentality who loved motor racing and dedicated his life to it”.
Formula 1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali called him “a true great of our sport and an extraordinary racer”, noting that Jones brought Williams its first drivers’ and constructors’ titles in 1980, “a defining moment for the team and our sport”.
The ACO, which organises the 24 Hours of Le Mans, said it had learned of his death “with great sadness”. Mark Webber and Christian Horner also posted tributes on Instagram, according to PlanetF1.
What did his family say?
“We are extremely saddened to announce the passing of our beloved Alan, who passed away on 5 November following a short illness,” Amanda Butler-Davis said. “Alan dedicated his life to motorsport, building a legacy that will live on through the countless people he touched along the way.”
The family thanked everyone who had been part of his journey “for the many years of friendship, love and support”. Jones is survived by his wife and his children Christian, Amber, Zara, Jack, Camilla and Emma.
