Alan Jones, the 1980 F1 champion has died at age 80 on Thursday, November 5, 2026, his family announced.
Jones just celebrated his 80th birthday on Monday, November 2, 2026.
Amanda Butler-Davis, Jones’s wife, issued a statement through Motorsport Australia confirming his passing on Thursday, November 5, 2026.
A statement released by his family reads: “We are extremely saddened to announce the passing of our beloved Alan, who passed away on November 5 following a short illness.”
Who was Alan Jones?
Born in Melbourne, Jones relocated to Europe in the 1970 to chase his dream of becoming a motor racer and joined Formula 3 outfit GRD in 1973 before he finally made his F1 debut with Hesketh in 1975.
Jones won 12 F1 grands prix across his career and became the only second Australian, after Sir Jack Brabham, to be
With 12 F1 grand prix wins to his name, driving for Williams, became the second Australian world champion, following Sir Jack Brabham.
The first F1 triumph came in the Australian GP of 1977 when driving for the Shadow team.
Jones found more success behind the wheel after he joined Williams a year later.
In 19820, Jones won five grand prix; in Argentina, France, Britain, Canada and the United States, and finished on the podium five more times to claim the world championship with one race remaining.
Jones also ventured into television broadcasting as a motorsport analyst, widely known for his blunt, honest opinion.
He retired from racing in 1986 and remains the last Aussie to be crowned F1 world champion.
Jones had previously been married to Beverley.
He is survived by Amanda and six children, Christian, Amber, Zara, Jack, Camilla and Emma.