The Williams Formula 1 team has paid tribute to its 1980 world champion Alan Jones following the sad news of his death early on Thursday morning.
Jones raced for Williams from 1978 to 1981, taking 11 wins from 60 starts, including all six of his career pole positions.
Becoming Australia’s first F1 world champion, his consistency delighted Team Principal Sir Frank Williams, he secured third in the standings in both 1979 and 1981.
Jones’s tenure in F1 is remembered by the car that delivered his title, the iconic white liveried FW07. One of the sport’s most successful cars that raced during the era of pioneering aerodynamics, it became one of the sport’s most copied designs.
Designed by the legendary Sir Patrick Head has a permanent fixture at the Williams Heritage museum, cementing Jones’s legacy as one of the the team’s most iconic drivers.
Following the news of his death, Williams released a statement expressing its sadness of losing one of the drivers it described as “making Williams what it is today”, whist paying tribute to his achievements both on and off the track.
Full statement from Williams
Everyone at Williams is deeply saddened to learn of Alan Jones’ passing. Alan was instrumental in making Williams what it is today, forming an extraordinary bond with Frank Williams and Patrick Head to become our first Drivers’ World Champion in just our fourth season in Formula 1. He set the standard for Williams champions: a fast, uncompromising racer with a challenger mentality who loved motor racing and dedicated his life to it. He is a true Australian icon and a Williams legend, and he will be dearly missed. We send our love and thoughts to the Jones family and all his friends.
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