Every South African Grand Prix F1 Winner

Find a complete list of every South African Grand Prix winner from 1962 to 1993, held at the East London and Kyalami circuits.

Ben Bush

By Ben Bush
Published on January 16, 2024
Updated on March 3, 2026

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1963 South African Grand Prix Starting Grid
Lotus driver Jim Clark wins the 1963 South African Grand Prix Grid // Image: Motorsport

The South African Grand Prix first ran in 1934 at East London’s Prince George Circuit before becoming a fixture of the Formula 1 World Championship in the 1960s. Most of its championship history unfolded at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit, a fast, flowing, high-altitude circuit north of Johannesburg that became one of the sport’s most respected challenges.

The race was suspended after 1985 due to international opposition to apartheid, before returning briefly in the early 1990s following political change. Its final running came in 1993.

What To Know?

  • Jim Clark won three times – Clark’s victories in 1963, 1965 and 1968 made him the most successful driver in the early years of the championship event.
  • Kyalami was the long-term home. After 1967, the race was almost exclusively held at Kyalami, one of Formula 1’s classic high-speed circuits.
  • Interrupted by politics – The race was suspended after 1985 due to apartheid and only returned briefly in 1992 and 1993.
  • The final winner was a four-time champion – Alain Prost’s 1993 victory marked the last South African Grand Prix to date.

List of Every South African Grand Prix Winner

YearCircuitDriverConstructorStart Pos.Win marginRace time
1993KyalamiAlain ProstWilliams Renault11m 19.824s1hr 38m 45.082s
1992KyalamiNigel MansellWilliams Renault124.360s1hr 36m 45.320s
1985KyalamiNigel MansellWilliams Honda17.572s1hr 28m 22.866s
1984KyalamiNiki LaudaMcLaren TAG81m 05.950s1hr 29m 23.430s
1983KyalamiRiccardo PatreseBrabham BMW39.319s1hr 33m 25.708s
1982KyalamiAlain ProstRenault514.946s1hr 32m 08.401s
1980KyalamiRene ArnouxRenault234.070s1hr 36m 52.540s
1979KyalamiGilles VilleneuveFerrari33.420s1hr 41m 49.960s
1978KyalamiRonnie PetersonLotus Ford Cosworth120.466s1hr 42m 15.767s
1977KyalamiNiki LaudaFerrari35.200s1hr 42m 21.600s
1976KyalamiNiki LaudaFerrari21.300s1hr 42m 18.400s
1975KyalamiJody ScheckterTyrrell Ford Cosworth33.740s1hr 43m 16.900s
1974KyalamiCarlos ReutemannBrabham Ford Cosworth433.940s1hr 42m 04.960s
1973KyalamiJackie StewartTyrrell Ford Cosworth1624.550s1hr 43m 11.070s
1972KyalamiDenny HulmeMcLaren Ford Cosworth514.100s1hr 45m 49.100s
1971KyalamiMario AndrettiFerrari420.900s1hr 47m 35.500s
1970KyalamiJack BrabhamBrabham Ford Cosworth38.100s1hr 49m 34.600s
1969KyalamiJackie StewartMatra Ford Cosworth418.800s1hr 50m 39.100s
1968KyalamiJim ClarkLotus Ford Cosworth125.300s1hr 53m 56.600s
1967KyalamiPedro RodriguezCooper Maserati426.400s2hr 05m 45.900s
1965East LondonJim ClarkLotus Climax129.000s2hr 06m 46.000s
1963East LondonJim ClarkLotus Climax11m 06.800s2hr 10m 36.900s
1962East LondonGraham HillBRM249.800s2hr 08m 03.300s
1983 South African Grand Prix Nelson Piquet
Brabham driver Nelson Piquet wins the World Championship at the 1983 South African Grand Prix // Image: Motorsport

South African Grand Prix Winners: 1962 to 1993

The first World Championship South African Grand Prix was held at East London in 1962 and won by Graham Hill for BRM. The following years saw the rise of Jim Clark, who claimed victories in 1963, 1965 and 1968. Clark’s dominance at the circuit cemented his status as one of the greatest drivers of the era.

When the race moved permanently to Kyalami in 1967, it quickly became a staple of the early-season calendar. Jackie Stewart won twice, including a remarkable drive from 16th on the grid in 1973. The 1970s also featured victories from world champions and future champions, including Niki Lauda, Mario Andretti, and home hero Jody Scheckter, who thrilled local fans with his 1975 victory.

The late 1970s and early 1980s saw further memorable moments. Gilles Villeneuve won in 1979, while turbo-powered Renaults triumphed in 1980 and 1982. In 1984, Lauda claimed victory for McLaren on his way to his third World Championship.

The 1985 race, won by Nigel Mansell, proved to be the last before the event was suspended amid international sporting boycotts.

Following the end of apartheid, Formula 1 returned to Kyalami in 1992. Mansell dominated that race in his Williams-Renault during one of the most commanding seasons in F1 history. The final South African Grand Prix in 1993 was won by Alain Prost, also driving for Williams. Prost’s victory set the tone for his fourth and final World Championship campaign.

Since 1993, the South African Grand Prix has not returned to the Formula 1 calendar.

More F1 Race Winners

From Adelaide to Silverstone to Monza and Spa, we chart the full story of every F1 winner from each event’s first race to the last.

Grand PrixYear(s) heldRaces held
70th Anniversary20201
Abu Dhabi2009-202618
Argentina19531958, 1960, 1972-75, 1977-81, 1995-9820
Australia1985-2019, 2022202640
Austria1964, 1970-1987,
1997-2003, 2014-2026
39
Azerbaijan2017-2019, 202120269
Bahrain2004-2010, 2012-202622
Barcelona-Catalunya2026, 2028, 2030, 20321
Belgium19501956, 1958, 1960-1968, 1970, 1972-2002, 20042005, 20072026, 2027, 2029, 203171
Brazil1973-201947
Britain1950202677
Caesars Palace1981-19822
Canada1967-1974, 1976-1986,
1988-2008, 2010-19, 20222026
55
China2004-19, 2024202619
Dallas19841
Detroit1982-19887
Eifel20201
Emilia Romagna20202022, 202420255
Europe1983-1985, 1993-1997, 1999-2012, 201623
France19501954, 1956-2008, 2018-2019, 2021202262
Germany19511954, 19561959, 1961-2006, 2008-2014, 2016, 2018-1964
Hungary1986-202641
India2011-20133
Indianapolis1950196011
Italy1950202677
Japan1976-1977, 1987-2019,
20222026
40
Las Vegas202320264
Luxembourg1997-19982
Malaysia1999-201719
Mexico1963-1970, 1986-1992, 2015-201920
Mexico City202120266
Miami202220265
Monaco1950, 1955-2019,
20212026
72
Morocco19581
Netherlands19521953, 1955, 1958-1971, 1973-85, 2021202636
Pacific1994-19952
Pescara19571
Portugal19581960, 1984-1996, 20202021, 2027202818
Qatar2021, 2023-20265
Russia2014-20218
Sakhir20201
San Marino1981-200626
Sao Paulo202120266
Saudi Arabia202120266
Singapore2008-2019, 2022202617
South Africa1962-1963, 1965, 1967-1980, 1982-1985, 1992-199323
South Korea2010-20134
Spain1951, 1954,
1968-1979, 1981, 1986-2026
56
Styria202020212
Sweden1973-19786
Switzerland19501954, 19826
Turkey2005-2011, 202020219
Tuscany20201
USA1959-80, 1989-1991, 20002007, 2012-2019, 2021202647
USA West1976-19838

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Ben Bush

Staff Writer

Ben Bush

Ben is a staff writer specialising in F1 from the 1990s to the modern era. Ben has been following Formula 1 since 1986 and is an avid researcher who loves understanding the technology that makes it one of the most exciting motorsport on the planet. He listens to podcasts about F1 on a daily basis, and enjoys reading books from the inspirational Adrian Newey to former F1 drivers.