Australian Formula One World Champion Alan Jones Dies at 80

OPA WIRE, Nov 5 (OPA) — Australian Formula One world champion Alan Jones has died at the age of 80, just three days after celebrating his birthday, following a short illness. Nine reported that the Melbourne-born racing great had been diagnosed with cancer only weeks before his death, ending a formidable motorsport life that spanned decades.

Jones won 12 Formula One grands prix throughout his career and became a national sporting icon alongside Sir Jack Brabham as Australia's only other drivers' world champion. His career-defining moment came in 1980 when he secured the world title with Williams, winning races in Argentina, France, Britain, Canada and the United States to finish 13 points clear of Brazilian rival Nelson Piquet.

Born on November 2, 1946, Jones grew up surrounded by motorsport as the son of 1959 Australian Grand Prix winner Stan Jones. His own path to Formula One involved early financial struggles in Europe, a severe testing crash at Brands Hatch, and a devastating debut at the 1980 Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona before his breakthrough victory with Shadow in Austria and subsequent move to Frank Williams' team in 1978.

After initially retiring in 1981, Jones returned for brief stints with Arrows and Haas before stepping away permanently from F1 racing at the 1986 Australian Grand Prix in Adelaide. He later built a successful broadcasting career with Nine alongside Darrell Eastlake and Ten, while also winning the 1993 Bathurst 12 Hour, and is survived by his wife Amanda Butler-Davis and family.