Alan Jones, the 1980 Formula 1 world champion and the last Australian to claim the title, has died at the age of 80. His wife, Amanda Butler-Davis, announced that he passed away on 5 November 2026 following a short illness. Jones, who had celebrated his 80th birthday on 2 November 2026, was remembered by his family for his dedication to motorsport and his enduring impact on the sport globally.
Born in Melbourne, Jones moved to Europe in 1970 to pursue a racing career. He made his Formula 1 debut with Hesketh at the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix and secured his first victory with the Shadow team at the 1977 Austrian Grand Prix. His career reached its peak after joining Williams in 1978. In 1980, he won five grands prix—in Argentina, France, Britain, Canada, and the United States—to clinch the world championship, becoming the first driver to win a title for the Williams team.
Jones remains only the second Australian to win the F1 world championship, following Sir Jack Brabham. Throughout his career, which spanned from 1975 to 1986, he recorded 12 grand prix victories across 116 races. Following his retirement from Formula 1, he continued to compete in other racing formats, including touring car and endurance events, and established a career as a television motorsport commentator in Australia. He is survived by his wife, Amanda, and his six children.
