Australian Formula One champion Alan Jones has died at the age of 80, only three days after marking his birthday.
The Melbourne-born driver, who secured Williams’ first drivers’ world championship in 1980 before becoming a well-known television commentator, passed away after a brief illness.
Nine reported that Jones had been diagnosed with cancer just weeks before his death.
His passing closes an extraordinary motorsport journey that began at his father’s Holden dealership and carried him to the pinnacle of international racing.
Jones won 12 Formula One grands prix and remains one of just two Australians to capture the drivers’ world title, alongside Sir Jack Brabham.
For countless Australian fans, he was also the candid former champion who helped bring Formula One to a national television audience alongside Darrell Eastlake on Nine.
Australian Formula One champion Alan Jones has died at the age of 80
Jones claimed 12 grands prix victories during his Formula One career
Jones and Sir Jack Brabham are the only Australians to win the Formula One drivers’ championship
Born on November 2, 1946, Jones was raised in a family steeped in motor racing.
His father, Stan, won the 1959 Australian Grand Prix, setting a high standard for his son as Jones began racing Minis and Coopers.
The road to the top, however, was filled with financial struggles and setbacks.
Jones first travelled to Europe in 1967 but could not afford the drive he needed. He returned to Britain in 1970 and worked to fund another attempt, buying and selling used cars with fellow Australian Brian McGuire.
A serious testing accident at Brands Hatch left Jones with a broken leg and a destroyed car, another obstacle before his Formula One career had even started.
His prospects began to change in Formula Three, where he finished second in the 1973 British championship.
Two years later, Jones finally reached Formula One, making his debut for a privately entered Hesketh at the Spanish Grand Prix.
It was a grim introduction to the sport’s highest level. The race at Barcelona’s Montjuïc circuit was halted after a crash killed five spectators.
Jones won the 1980 world championship, giving Williams its first drivers’ title
The Melbourne-born champion was diagnosed with cancer only weeks before his death
After retiring from Formula One, Jones became a familiar presence on Nine’s coverage with Darrell Eastlake
Jones later drove for Graham Hill’s team before earning a full-time seat with Surtees in 1976.
His breakthrough arrived the following year when Shadow signed him after the death of driver Tom Pryce at the South African Grand Prix.
Jones made the most of the opportunity, winning in Austria and establishing himself as a grand prix victor. His performance also attracted interest from Ferrari.
Ferrari eventually opted for Gilles Villeneuve, sending Jones to Frank Williams’ team for the 1978 season.
That decision became the turning point of Jones’ career.
Four wins in 1979 made him a genuine championship contender. A year later, victories in Argentina, France, Britain, Canada and the United States carried him to the world title.
He secured the championship in Canada with one race still remaining and finished 13 points ahead of Brazilian rival Nelson Piquet.
Jones gave Williams its first drivers’ crown and returned Australia to the summit of Formula One for the first time since Brabham’s final championship in 1966.
That same year, he won the non-championship Australian Grand Prix at Calder Park, adding his name to the winners’ list alongside his father.
Jones initially retired at the end of the 1981 season, ending his campaign with victory in Las Vegas.
He soon returned, making a short comeback with Arrows in 1983 before racing again for Haas in 1985 and 1986.
His final Formula One start came at the 1986 Australian Grand Prix in Adelaide.
His competitive career continued well beyond Formula One.
A Can-Am champion in 1978, Jones later became a regular in Australian touring cars and won the 1993 Bathurst 12 Hour with Garry Waldon.
He also established a successful second career behind the microphone.
Jones joined Nine’s Formula One coverage in 1987, offering expert insight as the sport built a growing following across Australia.
His partnership with Eastlake became a defining part of the network’s broadcasts, and Jones remained with Nine until 2002. He later joined Ten’s Formula One coverage in 2013.
Jones received an MBE for services to motor racing in 1980 and was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1989.
He is survived by his wife, Amanda, and his family.