Alan Jones cause of death: What did the Formula 1 legend and world champion die from at the age of 80?
We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved Alan, who died on November 5 after a brief illness
The former Australian driver Alan Jones , Formula 1 world champion in 1980 and one of the great figures of motorsport in his country, died at the age of 80 after a brief illness , as announced by his wife, Amanda Butler-Davis, in a statement released by local media.
"We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved Alan, who died on November 5 after a brief illness" , Butler-Davis said, highlighting that the former driver will be remembered for his sporting career, his character, and his passion for motorsport.
"Alan devoted his life to motorsport and built a legacy that will endure through the countless people he reached along the way," added his wife, who thanked everyone for the support and affection received by the family.
Alan Jones's Formula 1 career: he won 12 Grands Prix
Jones, who had turned 80 last Monday, achieved 12 Grand Prix victories during his career in the top category and became the second Australian to win the world title, after Jack Brabham .
Born in Melbourne on November 2, 1946 , he was the son of driver Stan Jones, winner of the 1959 Australian Grand Prix.
After moving to London in 1970 to pursue his dream of competing at the highest level, he got an opportunity in British Formula 3 in 1973 with the local GRD team, and that year he won at the English circuit Silverstone and finished second in the championship.
He made his Formula 1 debut in 1975 with the British team Hesketh and, after spells with fellow British team Surtees and the American team Shadow, he signed for the British team Williams, with whom he reached the pinnacle of his career.
In 1980 he won five Grands Prix -Argentina, France, Great Britain, Canada and the United States- and was crowned world champion.
He initially retired at the end of the 1981 season , although he returned on several occasions before contesting his last grand prix in 1986.
He subsequently remained involved in motorsport as a television commentator in Australia.
