Alan Jones dies aged 80: Remembering the 1980 Formula 1 champion

Former Formula 1 world champion Alan Jones has died at the age of 80 following a short illness, his family have announced. The Australian became one of the most influential figures in the sport after winning the drivers' championship with Williams in 1980.

Jones was born in Melbourne on 2 November 1946 and made his Formula 1 debut with Hesketh at the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix. He claimed his first victory two years later at the Austrian Grand Prix, driving for Shadow, before joining Williams in 1978.

His greatest achievement came in 1980, when he won five races and secured the world championship ahead of Brazilian Nelson Piquet. Jones became only the second Australian to win the Formula 1 title, following Jack Brabham, and remains the country's last world champion in the sport.

Across his Formula 1 career, Jones recorded 12 Grand Prix victories and competed in 116 races. Eleven of those wins came with Williams, where he played a crucial role in establishing the team as a championship-winning force alongside founder Frank Williams and technical director Patrick Head.

After initially retiring at the end of 1981, Jones returned to Formula 1 with the Haas team in 1985 and competed through 1986. He later continued racing in touring cars and endurance events before ending his competitive career in 2002.

Following his retirement from racing, Jones became a respected television commentator in Australia. His family, motorsport organisations and former team Williams have paid tribute to a driver whose achievements and personality left a lasting mark on Formula 1.