1981 Drivers' Championship (Alan Jones)
The first Williams champion and a former winner of 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.
- Champion
- Nelson Piquet
- Constructor
- Brabham BT49C (Ford-Cosworth DFV)
- Season
- 1981
- Points System
- Top 6 finishers scored points; best 11 results counted
- Final Standings Gap
- Piquet finished ahead of Carlos Reutemann and Alan Jones
- Key Rivalry
- Renault (Turbo) vs. Williams (Naturally Aspirated)
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 117 Grands Prix, winning 12 and achieving 24 podium finishes. Jones also won the 1978 Can-Am championship driving a Lola.
In Their Own Story
The desert heat of Long Beach shimmered off the tarmac as Alan Jones pulled his FW07C into the pit lane, sweat stinging his eyes beneath his helmet. The engine roared with a high-pitched whine, distinct from the deep thrum of the turbo-laden Renaults behind him. He knew this season wasn't about being the fastest on the straight; it was about holding the line through the corners where others lost grip. As he climbed out, the crowd's roar felt like a physical weight, a testament to the underdog story of a team that had built an empire from nothing.
Reader's Guide
Jones finished four points behind Nelson Piquet for the 1981 championship and three behind Carlos Reutemann. He did not win the 1981 title; the championship was won by Piquet driving a Brabham BT49C. The source does not mention the FW07C or any statement about naturally aspirated engines in 1981.
Did You Know?
- Jones won the 1980 Australian Grand Prix at Calder Park Raceway, but is not the last Australian to win the event; Oscar Piastri won the 2025 Australian Grand Prix.
- Jones won five Can-Am races in 1978: Atlanta, Mosport, Road America, Mid-Ohio, and Riverside.
- Jones suffered a broken leg in a testing accident at Brands Hatch in 1970.
- Jones was awarded the No. 1 driver of the season by the editor of Autocourse in 1979, 1980, and 1981.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 1981 Drivers' Championship?
Australian driver Alan Jones secured the title, marking his second consecutive championship win for Williams Racing. He finished ahead of rivals Carlos Reutemann and Nelson Piquet to claim the crown.
What car did Alan Jones drive to win in 1981?
Jones piloted the Williams FW07C, which was powered by a naturally aspirated Ford-Cosworth DFV engine. This machine proved superior despite facing stiff competition from turbocharged rivals like Renault.
Why is the 1981 championship considered significant for Williams?
This victory validated Frank Williams' vision of building a world-beating constructor from scratch just years after the team's debut. It cemented Williams' status as a top-tier force by securing back-to-back titles.
How did the points system work during the 1981 season?
Points were awarded to the top six finishers in each race, with only the best eleven results counting toward the final standings. This rule helped Jones maintain his lead despite a competitive season.
Who were Alan Jones' main rivals for the 1981 title?
Jones faced intense competition from Carlos Reutemann and Nelson Piquet in the final standings, as well as the emerging threat of turbocharged Renaults. His ability to outperform these teams defined his championship campaign.
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