Features / 5 January 2026 / Staff Writer

South Africa’s Formula 1 history

It has been decades since South Africa either hosted a Grand Prix or had a Formula 1 driver.

This is something that Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has been trying to change recently – supported by Kyalami applying for (and having approved) its plans to upgrade the track to be Grand Prix-ready.

“When we acquired Kyalami in 2014, we made a commitment to restore it not just as a world-class venue, but as a beacon for motorsport across the African continent,” said Kyalami owner Toby Venter.

“The FIA’s acceptance of our Grade 1 design is a major step forward in that journey.”

If South Africa were to finally receive a Grand Prix slot in the coming years, it would add to the country’s long history in Formula – including hosting many Grand Prix and even having a former Driver’s Champion in its ranks.

The South African Grand Prix was first added to the Formula 1 circuit in 1962, and it was hosted in East London.

It was one of the first non-European races to be ever be added to the official Formula One circuit, and the inaugural event was won by Graham Hill over Jim Clark.

The race was also held at the East London circuit – known as the Prince George Circuit – in 1962, 1965, and 1966 – although the last race did not have championship status.

In 1967, the race would move to Kyalami, where it would continue to be held until 1985.

Highlights of this era are numerous, including Jim Clark’s 1968 win – which saw him break Juan Manuel Fangio’s career win record.

It also ended up being Jim Clark’s last ever Formula 1 victory, as he died in a race later that year.

In 1970, Jack Brabham won his last Formula 1 race, while in 1971, Mario Andretti won his first-ever Grand Prix – driving for Ferrari.

In 1975, fans were delighted to witness a historic moment as local boy Jody Scheckter won the race.

The 1980s saw wins for iconic drivers such as Alain Prost, Niki Lauda, and Nigel Mansell – and the final race took place in 1985, despite major controversy.

This was around the time that countries were boycotting South African sporting events because of apartheid, and this was a sentiment shared by many involved in Formula 1.

The race was boycotted by two teams – Ligier and Renault – and was won by Nigel Mansell.

The race would not happen again for several years, before making a brief return in 1992 and 1993 – with races won by Mansell and Prost respectively.

There has never been a Formula 1 race in Africa since.

Top South African drivers

There have been a total of 25 South African Formula 1 drivers, with 17 taking part in an official Grand Prix.

By far the most well-known of these drivers is Jody Scheckter, who drove in 112 Grand Prix, won 10 races, and enjoyed 33 podium places across nine seasons.

In perhaps the single greatest moment in South African motorsports history, Scheckter won the Driver’s Championship with Ferrari in 1979.

The only other South African driver to ever make a podium was Tony Maggs, who achieved this three times in his 25 Grand Prix starts.

Maggs, who competed in Formula 1 from 1961 to 1965, was also the first ever South African to take part in a Formula 1 Grand Prix.

The other South Africans to take part in multiple Grand Prix are: