Alan Jones, the Australian driver who won the 1980 Formula One world championship with Williams, has died at 80, Motorsport Australia said Thursday. His family said he died after a short illness.

Jones was the first driver to take Williams to the Formula One drivers’ title, winning five races during his championship season. Formula 1 records him with 12 Grand Prix victories, 11 of them with Williams.

Born in Melbourne in 1946, Jones made his Formula One debut in 1975. He joined Williams in 1978 and helped establish the team among the sport’s leading constructors. He later returned to racing with other teams and made his final Grand Prix appearance in Adelaide in 1986.

After stepping away from competitive racing, Jones remained involved in motorsport as a broadcaster and commentator. Motorsport Australia said he was survived by his wife, Amanda, and six children.

Sources: Yahoo News / Reuters; Formula 1; Motorsport Australia.