Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Everything you need to know about Australian motorsport great Alan Jones is distilled into a famous quote from team boss Sir Frank Williams.
“‘AJ’ was a man’s man and he was great fun to be with,” Sir Frank said.
“He never needed propping up mentally, because he was a very determined and bullish character.
“He didn’t need any babysitting or hand-holding and that’s the way it should be. It shouldn’t be necessary for me to ask a driver if he is happy, or if he needs his underwear changed.”
For the record, Jones wore red underwear as a good-luck charm.
Jones, who has died three days after his 80th birthday, remains only the second Australian after Sir Jack Brabham to win the Formula One driver’s championship.
The 1980 title was the peak achievement in a storied career that started with 50 pounds in his pocket and made him an all-time Formula One great.
The belligerence that endeared him to Williams also served Jones well in his later career as a TV commentator on motorsport.
Jones was known to call a spade a bloody shovel.
Last year, he was asked for his thoughts about whether McLaren were sabotaging Oscar Piastri, the latest Australian aiming to join Brabham and Jones as a Formula One champion.
“It’s the greatest load of nonsense of all time. Every single season, we come across this bulls*** … it’s absolute crap,” Jones told the ABC.
Jones was born into motorsport. He and his father Stan are one of only three father-sons to win the Australian GP.
After racing locally, Jones joined that eager group of Australian expats who decided to forge their careers in Europe. He went to London in 1970 with 50 pounds to his name.
A breakthrough F3 win during the 1973 season was scarred by Stan’s sudden death only a few weeks before. HIs coffin was shipped to Australia, containing Jones’ laurel victory wreath.
Jones made his Formula One debut in 1975 and two years later came the first of 12 race wins.
By late 1977, the Australian had caught the attention of Williams and Enzo Ferrari. After Ferrari chose Gilles Villeneuve instead, Jones went to Williams – then a team struggling for funds and yet to make its name.
After finishing third in the 1979 championship, Jones became the first of seven Williams drivers to win the Formula One world title.
He finished third the following season and then retired from F1, coming back to Australia. Jones would return to F1, starting at the landmark 1985 and 1986 F1 races in Adelaide.
“(Former F1 boss) Bernie Ecclestone … allowed me to do a lap by myself in front of my home crowd,” Jones said in 2018.
“The old hairs on the back of my neck were standing up.
“But I could’ve started the night before and I wouldn’t have won.”
Jones raced in a wide range of classes, twice making the podium at the Bathurst 1000 before he retired from competition in 2002 and settled into TV commentary.
Motorsport Australia posted a message on Thursday from Jones’s second wife Amanda Butler-Davis, confirming he had died after a short illness.
“He will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by those closest to him, as well as the many fans whose support he was always grateful for,” the statement read.
“Alan dedicated his life to motorsport, building a legacy that will live on through the countless people he touched along the way.
“Through his achievements, passion and unmistakable character, both on and off the track, Alan left an enduring mark on the sport both nationally and across the globe.”
He is a member of the Sport Australia Hall Of Fame and was made an MBE.
Jones was previously married to Beverley. He is survived by Amanda and six children – Christian, Amber, Zara, Jack, Camilla and Emma.
