Alan Jones, 1980 F1 champion and Williams driver, dies aged 80

Alan Jones, the 1980 Formula 1 World Champion, has died aged 80. Born to a racing driver in Stan, he moved to England as a teenager to pursue his ambitions, and after a four-year wait scored a drive in British Formula Three. His route to Formula 1 came through Harry Stiller, who enabled his drive in Formula 5000, and his debut came in Stiller's privately entered Hesketh at the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix.

Jones later competed for Graham Hill's team, where he scored his first championship points with fifth place at the Nurburgring. He then drove for John Surtees, taking three points finishes in 1976, before leaving the team after a year. A chance at Shadow came after the death of Tom Pryce at the 1977 South African Grand Prix, and Jones scored his maiden victory at the Osterreichring that season.

Jones went on to join Frank Williams, and the partnership between driver and team went on to define a significant chapter in the sport's history.