Alan Jones Speaks To Pitlane Magazine
Straight talking Aussie Alan Jones is the 1979 Formula 1 world champion. The winner of 12 out of his 117 races Jones had a successful career driving for Hesketh, Hill, Surtees, Shadow, Williams, Arrows and Haas Lola.
Since retiring from racing Jones has been a commentator, A1 GP team boss, F1 driver steward and must recently set up Speed Jewellery selling motorsport themed jewellery.
In an exclusive interview with Pitlane Magazine Alan Jones talks about his career, his thoughts on the current season and his business.
How is your Speed Jewellery business going?
Very well, we have our Brand of Champions progressing well and look forward to speaking with most of the World Champions to introduce our future releases. Peter Brock is a new addition, the Australian icon of Australian Touring Cars. We have spoken with Mick Doohan and Jack Brabham to present concept drawings for their consideration. The quality is very good and the reaction superb to such a unique program of SPEED Jewellery.
Are you enjoying the 2012 F1 season what are your thoughts on it so far?
Yes I am, the racing close with different winners of course makes a difference to the fans at the track and on TV. Pirelli have created a good tyre across varying compounds and the trackside spectator crowds are excellent from what I have seen this season.
You attending the reunion of the world champions in Bahrain in 2010, must have been great meeting up with everyone again?
Yes it was good, I have always kept in contact with as many as possible at different race meetings, so all together especially with Jack Brabham on the same flight was really good. The hospitality provided to us all from the Royal Family and Bernie was extremely comfortable especially for myself and my wife.
Do you think F1 should have raced in Bahrain this year?
Politics and the peoples’ feelings in their country is not for us to judge. We respect whatever decision is to be made for all concerned in the paddock.
Mark Webber is bidding to be the first Australian since yourself to be WDC, do you think he will do it?
Mark is a very good Formula One Racing Driver who has the intelligence, the communications skills and ability to win. Engineers work well with Mark, other drivers respect him on and off track, as to winning a World Title, a lot goes into it and you need to be on top of your game every race weekend to have the most points at the end of the day. I have no doubt Mark can do it, let’s hope it all goes well from Spa to Brazil as this part of the season is where the title will be won for sure.
How do you feel about F1 cars compared with the days when you were a driver do you think F1 is a bit artificial with stuff like KERS and DRS?
Not at all, in my day we had a lot less to manage inside the cockpit than today’s race driver. The modern motor racing technology and design has jumped in leaps and bounds and the show with DRS for example is good for the fans. This will help along with many future enhancements to keep the interest in Formula One as the top of it’s class for international motorsport.
You were known as a straight talking guy, do you feel today’s drivers are too ‘politically correct’?
No I don’t think so, the difference today is social media and the way news can spread so fast many times a driver’s quote is interpreted in different ways.
How bad was your relationship with Nelson Piquet and has your opinion of him mellowed over the years?
We had our moments in the sun on track and that was the end of it.
If you were out in charge of F1 what would you change about it?
Some of the tracks need to be looked at to be sure they are not made where there is any lack of overtaking.
You have been a driver steward in F1, a big complaint among fans has been supposed inconsistency of penalties, a driver getting penalised one race then a similar looking incident involving a different driver resulting in no punishment in the next race, is this a view you share and what can be done about it?
The FIA have a fabulous set up in camera views of the cars, track, teams. There are rules to follow and we review everything before a decision is handed down. What you see on TV is vastly different to what Charlie Whiting can see, and so the decisions are made on the evidence put forward from all parties.
Ex drivers are well known as often being very difficult to work for, as someone who drove for ex drivers how easy were they to work for and what lessons did you learn from them with regards your own stint as a team boss?
You have a job to do, and that’s it. How you do that and with whom is nothing different whether you are not a race driver or a previous driver. Engineering is an important factor in Formula One as Patrick Head has proven many times. How the team is set up, and what budget they have spent on the team to compete is a large contributing factor. So it is very different team to team, principal to principal. Equipment and crew are your foundation, the engineers and designers are where you gain or lose tenths of seconds. The driver is in control on track, so all together you win or lose.
Any regrets about not driving for Ferrari?
Sometimes I reflect back as to the first opportunity being out of my control, the second offer in 1983 was one that could have developed further though it was not a season contract.
How tough was it to drive that GP Masters car? what are your thoughts on GP Masters?
I thought it was a great concept but it was a very short lived series A very good series and car, the racing was good and the drivers selected were keen for the series to continue. No doubt it had a good format, it’s just this business is not one for the financially feint-hearted.
As someone who made a comeback to F1 in his late 30′s what are your thoughts on Michael Schumacher’s comeback? mistake that is damaging his reputation or fair play to the guy still mixing it with the youngsters?
Michael is a good race driver with top fitness and the experience to win anytime. The car maybe more of a challenge than his Ferrari years. He will work it all out with Norbert and Ross as to his future plans.