His time at the very peak of Formula 1 was short — essentially just under three years from mid-1979 to the end of 1981 — but he left a lasting impression. He raced in Formula 1 between 1975 and 1986, starting 116 grands prix and winning 12. He also competed in other formats until 2002.
Jones turned 80 on Monday. He was the second Australian to win the drivers’ championship, after Jack Brabham in 1959, 1960 and 1966.
It added that he would be dearly missed and fondly remembered by those closest to him and by fans whose support he was always grateful for.
In 1980, with the upgraded FW07B, Jones and Williams were the team to beat. He won five races, finished on the podium in all but one of the grands prix he completed, and took the title ahead of Nelson Piquet. He finished third in the standings in 1981, winning in Las Vegas for what proved to be his final race victory. Although at the height of his powers, he then retired at 34 to return to Australia.
Jones made his debut in a Hesketh at the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix. It took time for his abilities to be fully appreciated. In 1979, when the new FW07 debuted mid-season, Jones and the car soon set the standard. He finished third in the drivers’ championship that year. He scored his first victory for Shadow in Austria in 1977 and joined Williams the following year.
A tribute said that through his achievements, passion and unmistakable character, on and off the track, Jones left an enduring mark on the sport nationally and across the globe.