Claire Williams recalls Alan Jones's lasting impact on Williams

Claire Williams has paid tribute to Alan Jones, recalling the support he gave her when she was team principal and saying the 1980 world champion left a lasting mark on Williams. Jones died in Australia last week, aged 80, after a short illness.

Jones raced for Williams from 1978 to 1981, won 12 Grands Prix and became the team's first world champion in 1980. Later Williams drivers were often measured against him; Nelson Piquet, Nigel Mansell and Alain Prost followed in his footsteps at the team.

Williams said she was four when Jones raced for the team, but later developed a close relationship with him when she was team principal. She said he supported her and linked that support to his relationship with her father, Frank Williams.

She saw a resemblance between Jones and her father: both, she said, were prepared to throw themselves into their work and win. Williams said her thoughts were with Jones's family and friends.