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Australian F1 legend and first Williams champion Alan Jones dies

1980 Formula 1 World Champion Alan Jones has died after a short illness, and just three days after celebrating his 80th birthday.

By Jack Oliver Smith · Motorsport Week

Published: Thursday, 5 November 2026 at 3:18 AM

Key Things to Know

Australian racing legend and 1980 Formula 1 World Champion Alan Jones has died at age 80.
Jones secured Williams' first-ever drivers' world championship in 1980, finishing 13 points ahead of Nelson Piquet.
His racing career included stints with Hesketh, Graham Hill's team, Williams, Arrows, and Lola Haas.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Australian Formula 1 legend Alan Jones has died following a short illness, just three days after his 80th birthday. Jones made history in 1980 by claiming the Formula 1 World Championship, earning the Williams team its first-ever drivers' title.

Throughout his career, Jones raced in F1 across three separate stints between 1975 and 1986, securing five victories during his championship season. Following his retirement from racing, which also included a podium finish in IndyCar, Jones became a prominent television commentator and pundit for Australian Formula 1 broadcasts.

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