Piastri’s penalty drops him out of F1 Mexico GP points

Williams and Australian Formula 1 driver Oscar Piastri have led tributes to motorsport icon Alan Jones, who died on Thursday at the age of 80 after a short illness.

Jones, the 1980 Formula 1 World Drivers’ Champion, won that title driving for the Williams team.

He was the first driver to bring a world championship to the Grove-based outfit.

Williams issued a statement mourning the loss of a man they called “a true Williams legend.”

“He set the standard for Williams champions: a fast, uncompromising racer with a challenger mentality who loved motor racing and dedicated his life to it,” the team said.

“He will be sorely missed, and we send our love and thoughts to his family and friends.”

Claire Williams, Frank Williams’ daughter and the team’s former deputy principal, added her own tribute.

“Alan is a hugely important part of Williams and F1’s history,” she said.

“He played a critical role in the team’s earliest success, working closely with Dad and Patrick Head to launch Williams into the history books.”

She noted that Jones scored Williams’ first podium finish in 1978 and brought the team its first drivers’ and constructors’ world championships in 1980.

“Dad was enormously fond of Alan; I think he was one of Dad’s favourite drivers of all time,” Claire Williams said.

“Alan was a much-loved figure in the paddock, keeping in touch with the team over the years.”

Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali called Jones “a true great of our sport and an extraordinary racer.”

“Alan was a formidable competitor, a natural leader and an icon who inspired generations of fans, particularly in his beloved Australia,” Domenicali said.

“Beyond his achievements on track, Alan will be remembered for his character, his passion and the lasting mark he left on Formula 1.”

Oscar Piastri, the current Australian star driving for McLaren, also paid tribute.

“Obviously a very sad day,” Piastri told F1 TV.

“I think a life that should be very well celebrated. A guy that had a lot of success on the racetrack and Australia’s most recent world champion.”

Piastri emphasized that Jones should be remembered for his personality as much as his driving.

“But I think also the person he was, a very, very straightforward person. Straight to the point,” Piastri said.

The McLaren driver recalled the personal encouragement Jones had given him throughout his career.

“On a personal level as well he often had nice things to say about me, which was nice,” Piastri added.

“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.”

Piastri drove the Williams FW07 — the same car that carried Jones to the 1980 title.

“Obviously a sad day, but a day that should celebrate a great life,” he said.

Jones had been a vocal supporter of Piastri in recent years.

Earlier this year, Jones told the Sydney Morning Herald ahead of the Australian Grand Prix that Piastri had the ability and temperament to become Australia’s next world champion.

“He’s just an extremely talented bloke, as in talented like you don’t see all that often,” Jones said at the time.

“He’s got the attributes, the mind and whatever else it takes to become a world champion. He wears his emotions less on his sleeve than some of the others, and that’s a quality you need.”

Piastri missed out on the 2025 drivers’ title to his McLaren teammate Lando Norris.

Jones had expressed confidence that Piastri would still reach that level.

Piastri now heads into the Sao Paulo Grand Prix this weekend looking to end a difficult run of results.

He has gone 15 races without a podium since Miami, equaling the longest such stretch of his Formula 1 career.

His most recent outing in Mexico City ended in disappointment.

A post-race penalty dropped him from eighth to 15th following a late collision with Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad.

Piastri accepted the 10-second penalty under the FIA’s driving standards guidelines.

But he suggested those guidelines might need tweaking for corners like the Mexican opening complex, where immediate changes of direction make enforcement difficult.