Overview
- Alan Jones has died days after his 80th birthday on Monday following a short illness, with multiple Australian outlets reporting the death and noting he turned 80 earlier this week.
- Some reports, citing Nine.com.au, say Jones was diagnosed with cancer only weeks before his death but that detail is reported rather than independently confirmed in the coverage.
- Jones won the 1980 Formula 1 drivers’ title for Williams, securing five grands prix that season and delivering Williams its first drivers’ world championship.
- Across 116 F1 starts he recorded 12 victories while also racing for teams including Hesketh, Hill, Surtees, Shadow, Arrows and Haas, and he later worked as a broadcaster, A1 Grand Prix director and FIA stewards’ adviser.
- Tributes from colleagues and broadcasters have been published, his family survivors have been named, and his death is being framed as a major loss for Australian motorsport and its public profile.