Alan Jones’ family confirmed his death on Thursday in a statement released through Motorsport Australia.

“We are extremely saddened to announce the passing of our beloved Alan, who passed away on 5 November following a short illness,” his wife Amanda Butler-Davis said in the statement carried by Sky Sports. She said her husband had dedicated his life to motorsport and built a legacy that would live on through the many people he had worked with. He is survived by his wife and six children.

Jones was born in Melbourne on 2 November 1946.

Williams’ first title, in the team’s fourth season

Jones won the 1980 drivers’ championship with Williams in just the team’s fourth season in Formula 1. He took five victories that year, in Argentina, France, Britain, Canada and the United States, to join Sir Jack Brabham as the second Australian to win the drivers’ title. He remains the most recent.

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He finished his Formula 1 career with 12 Grand Prix wins, 11 of them for Williams. His debut came at the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix, and his first victory was at the 1977 Austrian Grand Prix with Shadow before he joined Williams.

“A fast, uncompromising racer”

Williams led the tributes, telling PlanetF1 that Jones had formed an extraordinary bond with Frank Williams and Patrick Head and became the team’s first drivers’ world champion in just its fourth season in Formula 1. The team described him as “a fast, uncompromising racer with a challenger mentality who loved motor racing and dedicated his life to it.”

Formula 1 president Stefano Domenicali, quoted by PlanetF1, called Jones a formidable competitor and a natural leader who had inspired generations of fans, particularly in his home country of Australia.

From the cockpit to the commentary box

Jones retired from Formula 1 after the 1986 season, having driven for Hesketh, Shadow, Williams and Arrows during his top-flight career. He later worked as a Formula 1 commentator in Australia, on Channel Nine and Network 10.

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Butler-Davis closed her statement by thanking everyone who had been part of her husband’s journey for years of friendship, love and support.

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