Alan Jones World Championship
The first Williams World Champion and last Australian to win the Australian Grand Prix.
Alan Stanley Jones (born 2 November 1946) is an Australian former racing driver and broadcaster, who competed in Formula One between 1975 and 1986. Jones won the Formula One World Drivers' Championship in 1980 with Williams, and won 12 Grands Prix across ten seasons.
Lore & Background
Jones was the first driver to win a Formula One World Championship with the Williams team, becoming the 1980 World Drivers' Champion and the second Australian to do so following triple World Champion Sir Jack Brabham. He competed in a total of 116 Grands Prix, winning 12 and achieving 24 podium finishes. Jones also won the 1978 Can-Am championship driving a Lola. Jones is also the last Australian driver to win the Australian Grand Prix, winning the 1980 event at Calder Park Raceway, having lapped the field consisting mostly of Formula 5000 cars while he was driving his Formula One Championship winning Williams FW07B.
Reader's Guide
Jones' first race was the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix. He earned his first full-time Formula One drive in 1976 with John Surtees' team. He won his maiden victory at the Österreichring driving for Shadow in 1977. For Williams, his best result in 1978 was second at Watkins Glen. He won four races in the span of five events near the end of the 1979 season, finishing third in the championship. In 1980 he won seven races (though the Spanish Grand Prix was later removed from the championship and the Australian Grand Prix was non-championship, so only five counted). He beat Nelson Piquet by 13 points to become champion. In 1981 he finished four points behind Piquet and three behind Carlos Reutemann. He announced retirement after 1981 but returned for a one-time drive with Arrows at the 1983 United States Grand Prix West at Long Beach, where he qualified 12th but retired after 58 laps.
Championship Triumph with Williams
Alan Stanley Jones secured his place in motorsport history by claiming the Formula One World Drivers' Championship in 1980. Driving for the Williams team, he became the first driver to ever win a world title with the constructor, marking a pivotal moment in the team's evolution from struggling newcomers to championship contenders. This victory also made Jones the second Australian to achieve this feat, following in the legendary footsteps of triple World Champion Sir Jack Brabham. His tenure at Williams was instrumental; after helping the team gain recognition in 1979 with four wins in five races, he capitalized on that momentum the following year. His consistency and skill resulted in twelve Grand Prix victories and twenty-four podium finishes, cementing his legacy as one of Australia's most successful racing drivers before eventually transitioning into a broadcasting role.
Early Struggles and Resilience
He attempted to build a career by buying and selling second-hand cars with compatriot Brian McGuire, but a testing accident at Brands Hatch that broke his leg destroyed his plans to adapt a Lotus for sale. Further misfortune struck during a brief stint in Brazil where mechanical failures ended his campaign prematurely. Despite these setbacks, he persevered through Formula Three and Atlantic racing, eventually securing a drive with Harry Stiller.
Diverse Success in Can-Am
Beyond his Formula One achievements, Alan Jones demonstrated remarkable versatility by dominating the North American Can-Am series. In 1978, driving a Lola 333CS for Haas-Hall, he captured the championship title with an impressive record of nine pole positions out of ten races entered. Although he missed the Laguna Seca event due to a Formula One scheduling conflict, his performance in the other nine rounds was dominant, securing five victories at Atlanta, Mosport, Road America, Mid-Ohio, and Riverside. His season included dramatic moments, such as finishing second at Charlotte after hitting a chicane and losing a spark plug wire, and a third-place finish at Trois-Rivières while driving with only two gears due to a broken shift fork. Jones also contributed to technical innovation by testing water-injected brakes developed by the Haas team. He continued his Can-Am involvement into 1979, winning his final start at Mid-Ohio alongside Keke Rosberg.
The Australian Grand Prix Legacy
Alan Jones holds the unique distinction of being the last Australian driver to win the Australian Grand Prix on home soil. In a display of superior machinery and driving skill, Jones lapped the entire field to secure the win, capping off an illustrious year that saw him crowned World Champion. Notably, during his time with Surtees in 1976, his car's Durex sponsorship was so controversial that it led the BBC to refuse coverage of Formula One races for the season. Despite these varied experiences, including replacing Tom Pryce at Shadow following a fatal accident, Jones' victory at Calder remains a defining moment in Australian motorsport history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which car model did Alan Jones drive in 1980?
Jones piloted the Williams FW07B chassis throughout the championship-winning campaign. This machine was powered by a reliable Cosworth DFV engine that provided strong performance on various tracks.
Who managed the Williams team during the 1980 season?
Frank Williams served as Team Principal while Patrick Head acted as Technical Director during this pivotal year. Their collaboration transformed the struggling privateer into a competitive world champion organization.
How did Alan Jones perform to win the title?
The Australian driver relied on a fearless style to push his machinery harder than rivals during critical races. His consistency in scoring points across difficult events ultimately secured the title.
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