Alan Jones, the second Australian to win a Formula One world championship who also dabbled in rallies, passed away on November 5 following a short illness. He was 80 years old.

He is survived by his wife Amanda Butler-Davis and children Christian, Amber, Zara, Jack, Camilla, and Emma. Amanda announced his passing in a statement via Motorsport Australia:

He will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by those closest to him, as well as the many fans whose support he was always grateful for.

Alan dedicated his life to motorsport, building a legacy that will live on through the countless people he touched along the way.

Through his achievements, passion and unmistakable character, both on and off the track, Alan left an enduring mark on the sport both nationally and across the globe.

As a family, we would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who was part of Alan’s journey for the many years of friendship, love and support. He was incredibly fortunate to have so many wonderful people around him.

After competing in F1 since 1975, he claimed the title in 1980 for Williams. He secured five wins that year including the final two races to beat Nelson Piquet. As of 2026, Jones and Jack Brabham (1959, 1960, and 1966) remain the only Australians to win the World Drivers’ Championship.

Throughout his ten years in Formula One, Jones won 12 times with 24 total podiums and six poles. He also scored three wins in non-points events.

Even during his F1 career, he went out to try other disciplines too. Jones won the 1978 Can-Am Challenge Cup and also tried out the World Sportscar Championship, BMW M1 Procar, IROC, and even the Bathurst 1000. He committed to the lattermost’s Australian Touring Car Championship in 1990 and finished runner-up to Glenn Seton in the 1993 points battle. Jones also appeared at the 24 Hours of Le Mans twice in 1984 and 1987, and scored a podium in his lone CART appearance in 1985.

A few weeks after the 1978 F1 season ended, Jones and colleagues Patrick Depailler, Jody Scheckter, Patrick Tambay, and John Watson signed up for the new Texaco Rallysprint. Held at Donington Park, the made-for-BBC production challenged F1 and rally drivers to do a rally stage and compete on the paved circuit; how one finished in each event earned points. Rally legend Andy Dawson won the overall while Jones finished last in a Ford Escort RS.

He returned to the renamed-Eaton Yale Rallysprint in 1979, this time driving a Triumph TR7 V8. When asked by Simon Taylor before the rally section if he wanted to pursue a creer in rallies like his father Stan, he declined as “it’s too muddy. It’s too untidy.” After water got into his engine on the rally stage, he ended the event with 52 points, tied with Ari Vatanen for fourth.

The 1980 Eaton Yale Rallysprint, held three weeks after Jones won the F1 season finale in Watkins Glen, produced far better results. While rally remained his weak spot as he finished last there, he was stout in the pavement race and surged to second overall. Jones and Watson tied for the runner-up spot with 58 points, two short of Tony Pond’s 60.

“I remember the first time I did it, it was a bit of a gimmick and a bit of a giggle,” Jones admitted. “But then we all got there and started glaring at each other, and before we knew what was going on, it was a fully fledged competition. This invariably happens.

“Driving in the Rallysprint is totally different: the car is sliding around and it requires a slightly different driving technique. You have to start braking and turning differently. For instance, if you are going into a right-hand corner, you have to start turning left before you get into it, then throw it right. […] It’s the people who do it all day and every day that have the techniques mastered. The Grand Prix drivers just have to turn up and try and sort it out on the day to get as competent as they can in the shortest time possible.”

Alan Stanley Jones: November 2, 1946 – November 5, 2026

Featured image credit: BBC Grandstand