Alan Jones, the 1980 Formula One (F1) champion, passed away at the age of 80 on Thursday, November 5, 2026, his family announced. Jones had celebrated his 80th birthday just days earlier on Monday, November 2, 2026.
Amanda Butler-Davis, Jones's wife, issued a statement through Motorsport Australia confirming his passing. The family statement read: "We are extremely saddened to announce the passing of our beloved Alan, who died on November 5 following a short illness."
Born in Melbourne, Jones moved to Europe in the 1970s to pursue his dream of becoming a motor racer. He joined the Formula 3 outfit GRD in 1973 before making his F1 debut with Hesketh in 1975.
Jones won 12 F1 Grands Prix during his career and became the second Australian, after Sir Jack Brabham, to be crowned world champion. His first F1 triumph came at the 1977 Austrian GP while driving for the Shadow team.
Jones found greater success after joining Williams. In 1980, he won five Grands Prix - in Argentina, France, Britain, Canada, and the United States - and finished on the podium five more times to claim the world championship with one race remaining.
After retiring from racing in 1986, Jones ventured into television broadcasting as a motorsport analyst, known for his blunt and honest opinions. He remains the last Australian to be crowned F1 world champion.
Previously married to Beverley, he is survived by his wife Amanda and six children: Christian, Amber, Zara, Jack, Camilla, and Emma.