Williams' First Champion Alan Jones Dies

Australian driver Alan Jones died on Thursday, a few days after his 80th birthday. Jones was the second Australian to win the Formula 1 world championship and the first driver to become champion with Williams. He won the title in 1980, bringing the team the first of its seven world championships.

In a statement issued on behalf of his wife's family, it was reported that Jones died on November 5 after a short illness. The statement said his relatives and supporters would miss him. Motorsport Australia also published the statement.

Born in Melbourne, Jones was the son of a racing driver. He made his Formula 1 debut with Hesketh at the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix. In 1977 he took his first race win with Shadow in Austria and won 12 races in total. His career did not stand out until he joined Williams in 1978.

In the 1980 season, Jones won five races. In every race he completed, except one in which he did not reach the podium, he finished on the podium. With this performance he overtook Brazilian Nelson Piquet to win the championship.

Frank Williams said Jones was a tough and uncompromising racer. He said Jones did not need psychological support and stood out through his own determined and strong character. The team remembered Jones as one of the figures who had carried Williams to where it is today.