Alan Jones, 1980 Formula One World Champion, Dies at 80
The Australian driver, who secured the world title in 1980, passed away due to a brief illness on November 5, 2026.
Alan Jones, the 1980 Formula One world champion, has died at the age of 80, reportedly due to a brief illness. His wife, Amanda Butler-Davis, made the announcement on November 5, 2026. 123
Jones, born in Melbourne, was one of only two Australian drivers to have won a Formula One world championship, alongside Sir Jack Brabham. He achieved this remarkable feat in 1980, winning five grand prix races that year and securing the title with one race still to go. 13
His journey to the top began in 1970 when he moved to Europe to pursue his racing career. Jones joined the Williams team in 1978, leading them to a world championship in 1980. Throughout his career, he won 12 Formula One grand prix races, with his first victory coming in the 1977 Austrian Grand Prix while driving for Shadow. 13
After retiring from racing in 1986, Jones continued to be involved in the sport as a motorsport commentator. He was also recognised for his achievements, becoming a member of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame and receiving an MBE. 1
Jones was born on November 2, 1946, and died just three days after his 80th birthday. He leaves behind his wife and six children. 3
In addition to his success in Formula One, Jones shared another unique accolade with his father, Stan, as they were part of only three father-son pairs to have won the Australian Grand Prix. 1
What we know
- Alan Jones, the 1980 Formula One world champion, died at age 80. 123
- He won 12 Formula One grand prix races during his career. 123
- His first Formula One win was in the 1977 Austrian Grand Prix. 13
- He won five grand prix races in 1980, securing the world championship with one race remaining. 1
- He retired from racing in 1986 and is the most recent Australian to win the Formula One world championship. 1
- His wife, Amanda Butler-Davis, announced his passing due to a brief illness on November 5, 2026. 1
- He passed away on November 5, 2026, due to a brief illness. 23
- He is one of only two Australian drivers to have won a Formula One world championship. 3
- He joined the Williams team in 1978 and led them to a world championship in 1980. 3
- He was born in Melbourne and moved to Europe in 1970 to pursue his racing career. 1
- He is survived by his wife and six children. 123
- He had a successful career as a motorsport commentator after retiring from racing. 1
- He is a member of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame and received an MBE. 1
- He and his father, Stan, are among only three father-son pairs to have won the Australian Grand Prix. 1
- He was born on November 2, 1946, in Melbourne. 3
- He died three days after his 80th birthday. 3
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Trust Score report
- likely
Alan Jones, the 1980 Formula One world champion, died at age 80.
72% · supported by 3 - likely
Alan Jones won 12 Formula One grand prix races throughout his career.
72% · supported by 3 - likely
Alan Jones achieved his first Formula One win in the 1977 Austrian Grand Prix while driving for Shadow.
72% · supported by 2 - likely
Alan Jones won five grand prix races in 1980, securing the world championship with one race left.
72% · supported by 1 - likely
Alan Jones retired from racing in 1986 and is the most recent Australian to win the Formula One world championship.
72% · supported by 1 - likely
Amanda Butler-Davis, Jones's wife, announced his passing due to a brief illness on November 5, 2026.
72% · supported by 1 - likely
Alan Jones passed away on November 5, 2026, due to a brief illness.
71% · supported by 2 - likely
Alan Jones is one of only two Australian drivers to have won a Formula One world championship, alongside Sir Jack Brabham.
71% · supported by 1 - likely
Alan Jones joined the Williams team in 1978 and led them to a world championship in 1980.
71% · supported by 1 - likely
Alan Jones was born in Melbourne and moved to Europe in 1970 to pursue his racing career.
72% · supported by 1 - likely
Alan Jones is survived by his wife and six children.
72% · supported by 3 - likely
Alan Jones had a successful career as a motorsport commentator after retiring from racing.
72% · supported by 1 - likely
Alan Jones is a member of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame and received an MBE.
72% · supported by 1 - likely
Alan Jones and his father, Stan, are among only three father-son pairs to have won the Australian Grand Prix.
72% · supported by 1 - likely
Alan Jones was born on November 2, 1946, in Melbourne.
71% · supported by 1 - likely
Alan Jones died three days after his 80th birthday.
71% · supported by 1
Sources & references
- The Guardian Sport — Australian F1 world champion Alan Jones dies aged 80
- Sky Sports — Former F1 world champion Jones dies aged 80
- ESPN F1 — 1980 F1 world champion Alan Jones dies aged 80
