A Homegrown Hero
The 2025 System 1 season will kick off in Australia on the Melbourne circuit, the hometown of the one Australian driver—alongside Jack Brabham—to have received a System 1 world title: Alan Jones. Topped champion with Williams in 1980, the now 78-year-old secured a complete of 12 profession victories, together with two in 1981.
The Title and Clashes with Reutemann
That season, Williams managed to reclaim the Constructors’ Championship, thanks partly to 2 victories by Jones’ teammate, Carlos Reutemann. Nevertheless, the connection between the 2 drivers soured that yr, as Jones defined in an interview with Speedweek.com:
“Profitable the world championship in 1980 was really unbelievable. After I had the title in my grasp, I obtained very emotional. Whereas I used to be nonetheless carrying my helmet, there was a aspect of me that many didn’t see. I keep in mind standing underneath the bathe in my resort room and dancing: ‘I’m world champion! I’m world champion!’ Then I went downstairs to a different resort room, and we had essentially the most unbelievable occasion you may think about. In 1981, I drove higher than the yr earlier than, however we had some stability points. After Carlos Reutemann didn’t honor our contractual settlement in Brazil, I noticed I might not belief him. The factors Carlos took from me would have been sufficient to efficiently defend my title.”
The Finish with Williams
The settlement with the Grove-based crew stipulated that if Carlos Reutemann was main forward of Jones, the Argentine was presupposed to yield the place to his teammate—one thing that didn’t occur on the Brazilian GP:
“Frank Williams knew we had a superior automotive. So he instructed us: ‘The very last thing I need is for you two to be main the race, crash within the ultimate laps, and let another person win.’ So I stored my distance and let him drive. With two laps to go, I began considering: possibly this man isn’t going to honor his dedication? Then I assumed, okay, he’ll make a giant present of it and decelerate on the final nook or simply earlier than the end line. However, in fact, he didn’t. From that second on, I knew I couldn’t belief him anymore.” – he identified.
Ferrari’s Supply
Jones had the possibility to change groups in 1982 when Ferrari referred to as him as a possible alternative for Didier Pironi, who had suffered a critical damage in Germany. In actuality, Maranello had already reached out to Jones in 1978, although negotiations fell via.
The yr earlier than, Ferrari had tried to signal Mario Andretti from Lotus, hoping to spice up automotive gross sales within the U.S., however ‘Piedone’ declined. At that time, Jones—then driving for Shadow—signed a letter of intent to race for Ferrari in 1978. Nevertheless, the deal collapsed when Enzo Ferrari selected to guess on Gilles Villeneuve as an alternative. Jones took this resolution poorly, and it influenced his response in 1982:
“I used to be nonetheless a bit offended,” he admitted. “On the telephone, I mentioned I’d give it some thought, however then I by no means adopted up. That was a mistake. When Ferrari didn’t hear again from me, they employed Mario Andretti, who instantly put the automotive on pole at Monza! Think about if I had been in that automotive—I’d by no means have needed to pay for a meal in Italy once more! (laughs).
In 1977, they wished Mario first, then couldn’t get him, so that they turned to me. In 1982, they wished me, however I didn’t reply, so that they took Mario. It’s humorous how life works. I nonetheless remorse not accepting Ferrari’s supply. Turning it down was the stupidest factor I ever did in my profession.” – Alan Jones concluded.
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