Former Formula 1 world champion Alan Jones has died at the age of 80 after a short illness, his family has announced.

A statement released on behalf of his wife, Amanda Butler-Davis, and issued through Motorsport Australia, said: "We are extremely saddened to announce the passing of our beloved Alan, who passed away on 5 November following a short illness."

Jones, who turned 80 on Monday, was the last Australian to win the Formula 1 drivers' championship, taking the 1980 title with Williams — the first driver to win the championship with the team.

Williams' first champion

Born in Melbourne on 2 November 1946, Jones was the son of businessman and racer Stan Jones. He made his Formula 1 debut in 1975 and raced in the sport until 1986, driving for Hesketh, Williams and Arrows.

He joined Williams in 1978 and formed a strong partnership with team founders Frank Williams and Patrick Head. In 1980 he won five grands prix — in Argentina, France, Britain, Canada and the United States — to beat Brazil's Nelson Piquet to the crown, with one round to spare. Williams also won the constructors' championship that year.

Jones won 12 grands prix in his career, 11 of them with Williams. He was only the second Australian to win the world championship, after Sir Jack Brabham in 1959, 1960 and 1966, and he remains Australia's last drivers' champion.

Tributes

Williams said Jones was "instrumental in making Williams what it is today", and that he "set the standard for Williams champions: a fast, uncompromising racer with a challenger mentality who loved motor racing and dedicated his life to" the sport.

Jones was awarded an MBE for services to motor racing in 1980 and was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1989.

Sources: BBC Sport, Former Formula 1 world champion Alan Jones dies aged 80, 5 November 2026; Sky Sports, Former Formula 1 world champion Alan Jones dies aged 80, 5 November 2026.