Alan Jones: key obituary facts
Is Alan Jones dead? Yes. Alan Jones died on November 5, 2026, at age 80.
Cause of death: Alan Jones's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was Alan Jones known for?
He was an Australian racing driver and journalist (born 1946).
More about Alan Jones
Born: 2 November 1946.
Place of birth: Melbourne.
Gender: male.
Occupation: journalist, racing automobile driver, Formula One driver.
Nationality: Australia.
Education: Xavier College.
Awards: Member of the Order of the British Empire.
Also known as: Alan Stanley Jones.
Alan Jones, the Australian racing driver and Formula One world champion, died November 5, 2026, aged 80.
Born Alan Stanley Jones in Melbourne on November 2, 1946, he attended Xavier College and went on to compete in Formula One from 1975 to 1986. His defining achievement came in 1980, when he won the World Drivers’ Championship with Williams, becoming the team’s first champion and the second Australian to take the title, after Jack Brabham.
Across 117 Grand Prix starts, Jones recorded 12 victories and 24 podium finishes over 10 seasons. His success extended to other forms of racing: he won the 1978 Can-Am championship driving a Lola. In 1980, he also won the Australian Grand Prix at Calder Park Raceway in a Williams FW07B, lapping a field made up mostly of Formula 5000 cars. Jones was also a broadcaster and journalist, and was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire. His career connected a championship-winning period for Williams with a significant place in Australian motor racing, including the distinction of being the last Australian driver to win the Australian Grand Prix.