I got on very well with Alan. It was usual for the drivers to be competitive and this also included the teams. We all loved him. I will tell you how Alan came across as an Australian; a lovely guy but do not try to push him around. He was aggressive on the track and when he was in the car, look out. When he was not racing, he would fight for what was right and wrong for him to be competitive. Otherwise, Alan was not aggressive at all.
Alan’s World Championship win is so different to what the sport is today. The people are different, team owners and drivers are in a new environment and times have changed since Alan was racing. Alan could not exist today. He was friendly with everyone in the sport. Both the teams and drivers in those days would help each other out.
When he was at Williams and I owned Brabham, if either of us was in trouble, the teams would help each other. Frank would say, ‘I need some help from you,’ and we would assist. The same can be said for when we approached Frank at Williams. Today the teams and drivers do not talk to each other. It is not an Alan Jones time environment today. We did whatever was necessary to get the most competitive piece of machinery and then the drivers would do whatever they could do to win races. But, in doing so, in a different environment than today.
Today, if somebody wants to do something there are 2000 lawyers involved. Alan was not a guy who wanted a profile and to get in front of the press and have his photograph taken. He was not that sort of a driver. He was very friendly with people but did not seek publicity and things like that.
Alan represented Australia in a great way when he was racing in Formula One. Look at the percentage of people in Australia as compared to Europe. I think the percentage of those that Australia has had and been good at their job is probably higher than most places. Things have changed.
Alan as a driver steward is great. He is happy and sensible. He makes the right decisions, I am sure. We miss Alan. I miss him. I really do miss him being around all the time.