Winner in 1980 says
Australian GP cancellation a ‘big blow’ for Australian but insists decision couldn’t have been taken earlier
Always forthright, witty and warm, the former
Formula One world champion Alan Jones has his own unique take on the cancellation of the Australian Grand Prix. With the straight-talking that marks Jones out as the quintessential Australian, he considers the disappointment of not racing from a driver’s perspective. “If you are being paid a huge amount of retainer you just think: ‘Well, that’s less work I’ve got to do’,” he says, with a chuckle. “Give me the choice of lying on a beach somewhere exotic or hopping in a car…”
Jones, who won the F1 world championship with Williams 40 years ago this year, was at the heart of the race in Melbourne as it fell apart. Working at Albert Park, he has remained in Melbourne. “We said: ‘bugger it, we are going to stay here and go to a couple of restaurants and enjoy ourselves’,” he explains.