Piastri honours Alan Jones, Australia's last F1 world champion, after death at 80

Alan Jones, Australia’s 1980 Formula 1 world champion and the last Australian to win the Australian Grand Prix, died on 5 November 2026 at the age of 80 following a short illness. McLaren driver Oscar Piastri led the tributes, describing it as “a very sad day” and a life that “should be very well celebrated.”

Jones claimed 12 grand prix victories and 24 podium finishes across a career that spanned 1975 to 1986, with stints at Williams, Hesketh, Hill, Surtees, Shadow, Arrows and Haas-Lola. His 1980 title with Williams remains the team’s first drivers’ championship.

Speaking to F1.com at Interlagos ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend, Piastri reflected on what Jones meant both to the sport and to him personally. “I think also the person he was — a very straightforward person, straight to the point,” Piastri said. “On a personal level as well, he often had nice things to say about me, which was nice.”

Piastri also revealed he had driven the very Williams in which Jones clinched his world title. “I’ve had the honour to drive his world championship-winning car as well, so very cool to be able to experience that and connect with him in some kind of way,” he said. “A sad day, but a day that should celebrate a great life.”

The McLaren driver acknowledged he had limited direct contact with Jones, but said the Australian legend embodied qualities he deeply respected. “He kind of embodied the Australian spirit — very tough, saying it how it is, saying what he thinks, and I think that’s probably the biggest thing.”

“Anyone who’s won a world championship in F1 has clearly achieved it through talent, hard work, all kinds of other things, so I think that probably says enough,” Piastri added.

Jones also holds the distinction of being the last Australian to win the Australian Grand Prix, a feat he achieved at Calder Park in 1980 — a record that still stands more than four decades on.