VALE ALAN JONES: AUSTRALIA MOURNS ITS LAST FORMULA 1 WORLD CHAMPION

BRISBANE, QLD 

The global racing fraternity and Australian motorsport community are in mourning following the passing of 1980 Formula 1 World Drivers’ Champion Alan Jones MBE, who passed away today at the age of 80 following a brief illness.

Jones passed away surrounded by loved ones just three days after celebrating his 80th birthday. He remains Australia’s most recent Formula 1 World Champion, and only the second Australian in history to reach the absolute summit of international motorsport, following Sir Jack Brabham.

Born into Australian motorsport pedigree as the son of 1959 Australian Grand Prix winner Stan Jones, Alan forged his legendary reputation through sheer, uncompromising grit. After heading to Europe with limited resources, he broke into Formula 1 in 1975, earning a breakthrough maiden victory for Shadow at the 1977 Austrian Grand Prix.

His career defined an era when he joined Sir Frank Williams in 1978. In 1980, Jones delivered Williams Grand Prix Engineering their first-ever Drivers’ World Championship and Constructors' Championship, clinching five Grand Prix victories in a dominant campaign. Throughout 116 Formula 1 starts spanning 1975 to 1986, Jones secured 12 Grand Prix victories and 24 podiums, embodying a bullish, fearless style of driving that earned him universal respect across European paddocks.

Returning to domestic competition, Jones became an icon of Australian touring car racing, campaigning machinery across Group A and V8 Supercars with Colin Bond, Tony Longhurst’s B&H team, and Dick Johnson Racing. Behind the microphone, his sharp wit and no-nonsense commentary introduced an entire generation of Australians to Formula 1 alongside Darryl Eastlake.

"Alan Jones was cut from a different cloth," said Nomad Dirt Culture. "He didn’t wait for an easy road; he fought tooth and nail in Europe to beat the best in the world on his own terms. His toughness,raw honesty, and genuine passion for Australian motorsport left a permanent mark on our national racing DNA. On behalf of Nomad Dirt Culture and our wider motorsport family, we extend our deepest condolences to his wife Amanda and the entire Jones family."

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About Nomad Dirt Culture (NDC):

Nomad Dirt Culture is Australia’s premier independent motorsport media platform, delivering authentic, high-impact storytelling across all tiers of Australian racing heritage and grassroots automotive culture.

Photo Credit: Historical Archives / Williams Grand Prix Engineering / Andy Ticehurst Media