On August 12, 1979, Alan Jones achieved a significant hat-trick at the German Grand Prix, marking a pivotal moment in his career and for the Williams team. Jones secured pole position, set the fastest lap, and won the race at Hockenheim, demonstrating a dominant performance.
This victory was one of four Grand Prix wins for Jones during the 1979 season, which also included triumphs in Austria, the Netherlands, and Canada. While Jones’s German Grand Prix win showcased the potential of the Williams FW07 car, the team’s inaugural Formula 1 victory had been secured earlier that year by Clay Regazzoni at the British Grand Prix.
Regazzoni’s win at Silverstone on July 14, 1979, was a landmark achievement for Williams Grand Prix Engineering, which had been rebuilding its Formula 1 efforts. Jones’s consistent performances throughout 1979 contributed to Williams finishing second in the Constructors’ Championship, behind Ferrari.
The momentum from the 1979 season propelled Jones to the 1980 Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship. Driving the Williams FW07B, he became the first driver to win a World Championship for the team, securing five Grand Prix victories that year.
Beyond Jones’s achievements, August 12 also marks another notable historical event for Williams. In 1990, Thierry Boutsen delivered a defensive masterclass to win the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Boutsen, driving for Williams, resisted sustained pressure from Ayrton Senna in the McLaren-Honda throughout the race. He ultimately crossed the finish line just 0.288 seconds ahead of Senna.
This victory at the Hungaroring proved to be Boutsen’s third and final Formula 1 career win. Nelson Piquet finished third for Benetton, with Riccardo Patrese bringing the second Williams car home in fourth position.
