Alan Jones, the 1980 Formula 1 world champion from Australia, has died at age 80 after a brief illness. According to Australia's Nine, Jones received a cancer diagnosis only weeks ago.
Jones debuted in Formula 1 in 1975 with a privately-owned Hesketh before moving through Graham Hill and John Surtees. He joined Shadow and won the 1977 Austrian Grand Prix, the only victory the team ever achieved in F1.
In 1978, Jones joined Williams Grand Prix Engineering, then in its early stages under Frank Williams. He won four races in 1979 and five in 1980, claiming the world championship by 13 points over Nelson Piquet and guiding Williams to its first constructor's title.
Jones missed the 1981 driver's championship but helped Williams secure its second constructor's title with teammate Carlos Reutemann. He retired after 1981 but returned to racing for parts of three additional seasons.
Jones became a fixture in Australian touring car racing for decades. He competed in the Bathurst 1000 19 times and started twice in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, though he won neither. His touring car career stretched until 2002.
He is survived by his wife and four children.