The anthem mix-up that became an enduring myth in the Alan Jones legend
Alan Jones's first F1 grand prix victory in 1977 was so out of the blue that he said the band played Happy Birthday to him instead of the national anthem, but is the story true?
On that overcast August day in 1977, the Formula One world was poised for excitement at the Austrian Grand Prix. Niki Lauda, James Hunt, and Mario Andretti dominated the grid, with Alan Jones, the Australian with little fanfare, in 11th place. Jones, a 30-year-old from Melbourne, had only been racing in F1 for four months, replacing the late Tom Pryce.
As the race began, the grid was split between those on wet tyres and those on slicks. Jones defied expectations, moving up from 11th to fourth, showcasing his daring and skill. As the race progressed, Jones took the lead from Lauda and Hunt, who both faced setbacks. Hunt's McLaren exploded in a fiery crash, leaving Jones as the race leader.
The crowd erupted in celebration as Jones became the first Australian to win a Grand Prix in seven years. While Jones later recounted a humorous story about the national anthem being mistaken for "Happy Birthday," audio recordings confirm that the Australian national anthem, "Advance Australia Fair," was indeed played during the victory ceremony.
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