Jones remains one of only two Australians to have won the Formula 1 world title, following in the footsteps of Sir Jack Brabham. Throughout a distinguished career spanning 10 seasons, he secured 12 Grand Prix victories and 24 podium finishes.

His wife, Amanda Butler-Davis, paid tribute in a statement, saying, "We are extremely saddened to announce the passing of our beloved Alan. He will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by those closest to him, as well as the many fans."

Born in Melbourne, Jones moved to Europe in 1970 to pursue his racing ambitions. After making his Formula 1 debut with Hesketh in 1975, he claimed his maiden victory at the 1977 Austrian Grand Prix while driving for Shadow.

His career reached its pinnacle after joining Williams in 1978. During his championship-winning 1980 season, Jones dominated the grid, winning five races in Argentina, France, Britain, Canada, and the United States to secure the title with one race remaining.

Following his retirement from professional racing in 1986, Jones transitioned into a successful career as a motorsport commentator, known for his direct and insightful analysis. He was also a member of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.

Beyond his world title, Jones and his father, Stan, hold a unique place in history as one of the few father-son duos to have won the Australian Grand Prix. He was appointed an MBE for his contributions to the sport.

The weekend in Portimao marks Verstappen's debut in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup, adding a fresh discipline to his illustrious motorsport career immediately following a demanding Formula 1 tripleheader. Alongside the Dutchman, the grid features nine-time motorcycle world champion Valentino Rossi, creating an anticipated crossover showdown between two legendary racing figures.

Action began with Friday free practice sessions, during which Verstappen experienced an eventful introduction to GT3 machinery. Just three minutes into the first practice session, the Dutch driver was involved in an on-track collision that sent a rival car spinning. Stewards investigated the incident and subsequently handed Verstappen a formal reprimand and one behaviour warning point.

Despite the early setback and admitting it took time to adjust to the handling of the Mercedes-AMG GT3, Verstappen showed encouraging progress through the practice sessions. Verstappen Racing finished fourth during the second free practice session, boosted by a competitive lap time from teammate Chris Lulham as the team fine-tuned its setup.

Qualifying proved more challenging for the debutant squad, setting the grid order via the combined average of the best lap times from all three team drivers. Verstappen took the wheel for the final session, Q3, setting the fastest time among his teammates. However, the cumulative average left the #3 Mercedes-AMG down in 15th position for the start of the race.

Following technical infringements by rival entries, specifically the Haupt Racing Team whose #65 Ford Mustang GT3 suffered time deletions, Verstappen Racing was elevated one spot on the official starting grid to 13th place. Team strategy further confirmed that professional racer Ben Barnicoat would take the opening stint of the endurance event rather than Verstappen himself.

Valentino Rossi experienced his own qualifying frustrations at the Portuguese circuit after having his lap times deleted for exceeding track limits. The Italian MotoGP star expressed disappointment at missing a potential on-track battle with Verstappen due to the grid positions. Rossi noted that a minor error at Turn 4 while racing near another car cost him crucial time.

The GT World Challenge Europe season finale commences at 17:00 GMT on Saturday, running as a three-hour endurance race at the Algarve venue. Fans and viewers can follow the full broadcast live, alongside dedicated onboard camera feeds monitoring Verstappen's progress throughout the endurance contest.

The transition from single-seater Formula 1 machinery to a heavy GT3 sports car presented an intriguing learning curve for the reigning world champion. Verstappen noted that adjusting to the specific braking points and weight distribution required patience during the opening practice runs.

The collision during the first practice session drew swift attention from race control, though stewards opted against issuing any severe sporting sanctions. The decision to hand down a single reprimand and a behaviour warning point ensured Verstappen could continue his weekend without grid penalties.

As practice progressed into the second session, the Verstappen Racing squad found a much more competitive rhythm around the undulating Algarve circuit. Chris Lulham played a key role in extracting strong pace from the #3 Mercedes-AMG, lifting the car into the top five.

The unique qualifying format of the GT World Challenge Europe requires all nominated drivers to complete flying laps, averaging their performances to establish the final grid. This format places a high premium on consistency across the entire driver lineup rather than outright single-lap speed.

While Verstappen delivered a strong personal lap during the third qualifying segment, the combined averages across the trio resulted in a 15th-place classification. The competitive nature of the grid meant fractions of a second separated numerous entries in the midfield.

Administrative adjustments following post-qualifying technical checks provided a slight boost for Verstappen Racing. The exclusion of lap times for the #65 Haupt Racing Team Ford Mustang GT3 shifted the #3 Mercedes-AMG upward on the provisional starting sheet.

Tactical decisions ahead of the green flag saw the team entrust the demanding opening stint to factory GT driver Ben Barnicoat. This approach is common in endurance racing, allowing professional GT specialists to navigate the chaotic opening laps and traffic.

Valentino Rossi remained a central talking point in the paddock alongside Verstappen, with both racing icons drawing immense attention from global media and fans. Rossi acknowledged the magnitude of facing the Formula 1 star on a completely different racing platform.

Reflecting on his qualifying difficulties, Rossi explained how minor margins dictated the outcome of his session. The Italian rider admitted that traffic and a slight misjudgment at Turn 4 compromised his attempts to secure a higher starting position.

The three-hour endurance contest serves as the grand finale of the 2026 GT World Challenge Europe season, bringing down the curtain on another intense year of international motorsport competition. Teams faced varying weather and track conditions throughout the Portimao weekend.

Broadcasters arranged comprehensive live coverage of the entire endurance race, including specialized onboard viewing options for fans tracking Verstappen's debut performance. The unique crossover event cemented Portimao as a focal point for motorsport enthusiasts worldwide.

With preparations concluded and the starting grid finalized, the attention shifted entirely to race strategy, tyre degradation management, and clean execution over the three-hour duration. Verstappen Racing aimed to cap off their debut weekend with a strong points finish in Portugal.