Claire Williams: Alan Jones left 'indelible mark' on Williams

Claire Williams has paid tribute to Alan Jones, saying the 1980 world champion left an “indelible mark” on Williams after his death at 80 following a short illness in Australia.

Why it matters:

Jones was the first driver to deliver a world title to Sir Frank Williams and Sir Patrick Head, a breakthrough that helped establish the team’s championship pedigree. His success set a benchmark against which later Williams drivers were measured.

The details:

• Jones won 12 grands prix and raced for Williams from 1978 to 1981, becoming the team’s first champion before Nelson Piquet, Nigel Mansell and Alain Prost followed.
• Claire Williams told RacingNews365 that Jones was “enormously supportive” when she was team principal, building on his relationship with her father.
• She said Jones and Frank Williams shared a similar mindset: roll up your sleeves, give everything and get the job done.
• Williams added that Jones’ personality earned deep admiration and respect, and that his comparatively short F1 career did not diminish his influence.

The big picture:

Jones remains part of the foundation on which Williams built its title-winning identity. Claire Williams said his passing is another loss of a racing great and icon, with her thoughts with his family and friends.