Australian Formula One world champion Alan Jones has died aged 80, just three days after celebrating his birthday.
The Melbourne-born racing great, who drove Williams to its first drivers' world championship in 1980 before becoming a familiar face on Australian television, died following a short illness.
Nine reported Jones had been diagnosed with cancer only weeks ago.
His death brings to an end a remarkable motorsport life that took him from working at his father's Holden dealership to beating the world's best on grand prix circuits.
Jones won 12 Formula One races and remains one of only two Australians to have claimed the drivers' world title, alongside Sir Jack Brabham.
For generations of Australian viewers, he was also the straight-talking former champion who helped bring the sport into their living rooms alongside Darrell Eastlake on Nine.
Aussie Formula 1 world champion Alan Jones has died, aged 80
Jones won a total of 12 grands prix in his F1 career
Alongside Sir Jack Brabham, Jones was the only other Australian to have earned the world champion title
Born on November 2, 1946, Jones grew up with racing in his blood.
His father Stan won the 1959 Australian Grand Prix, giving the younger Jones a formidable example to follow as he began competing in Minis and Coopers.
But his path to the top was anything but straightforward.
An initial trip to Europe in 1967 ended with Jones unable to afford the drive he needed. He returned to Britain in 1970 and worked towards another opportunity, buying and selling used cars with fellow Australian Brian McGuire to help finance his ambitions.
A testing crash at Brands Hatch left him with a broken leg and a wrecked car, delivering another setback before his Formula One career had even begun.
His fortunes improved in Formula Three, where he finished runner-up in the 1973 British championship.
More to come
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