Alan Jones, MBE

1980 World F1 Champion

A fast life in fast cars was always the destiny of Alan Jones, the son of Stan who was a hero of 1950’s open wheeler racing in Australia.

Jones tagged along at Albert Park as his father raced against the likes of Jack Brabham and Stirling Moss igniting a passion for speed and winning.

It began racing a homemade billycart on the suburban streets of Melbourne.

By 1969 Jones lobbed in London with just 50 quid in his pocket but with an unshakeable self-belief that he could beat any driver in the world.

His first formula one win came in Austria in 1977 but the real turning point was in 1978 when Jones linked with Frank Williams and genius designer Patrick Head.

It was combination that became one of the most dynamic, feared and successful in Formula One – innovative Williams cars combined with a fast, clever and ruthless driver.

Jones’s career reached its zenith in 1980, driving the Williams FW07 to clinch the World Drivers Championship – still only the second Australian alongside Jack Brabham to do so.

Jones also won the 1978 Formula 5000 Can-Am championship in America and the 1982 Australian GT Championship. More recently we have seen him providing expert commentary during Formula One telecasts.