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{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Use South African English|date=May 2012}}
{{Use South African English|date=May 2012}}
{{Infobox Grand Prix race report
{{Infobox Grand Prix race report
Line 43: Line 43:
The '''1978 South African Grand Prix''' (formally the '''XXIV Citizen and Asseng Grand Prix of South Africa''') was a [[Formula One]] motor race held on 4 March 1978 at [[Kyalami]]. It was the third round of the [[1978 Formula One season]] and the 300th World Championship Grand Prix held since the championship began in {{f1|1950}}. This was the debut race of the future world champion [[Keke Rosberg]].
The '''1978 South African Grand Prix''' (formally the '''XXIV Citizen and Asseng Grand Prix of South Africa''') was a [[Formula One]] motor race held on 4 March 1978 at [[Kyalami]]. It was the third round of the [[1978 Formula One season]] and the 300th World Championship Grand Prix held since the championship began in {{f1|1950}}. This was the debut race of the future world champion [[Keke Rosberg]].


Both the [[Scuderia Ferrari|Ferrari]] ([[Ferrari 312T3|312T3]]) and [[Brabham]] ([[Brabham BT46|BT46]]) teams had new cars in Kyalami for the race. The event also saw the return of [[Renault in Formula One|Renault]] with their unique turbocharged car.
The [[Scuderia Ferrari|Ferrari]] ([[Ferrari 312T3|312T3]]) and [[Brabham]] ([[Brabham BT46|BT46]]) teams had new cars in Kyalami for the race. The event also saw the return of [[Renault in Formula One|Renault]] with its unique turbocharged car.


==Summary==
[[Ronnie Peterson]], in the [[Lotus 78]] with its [[Colin Chapman]]-inspired [[ground effect in cars|ground effect]] aerodynamics, battled [[Patrick Depailler]] in his Tyrrell on the last lap to take a dramatic victory. John Watson finished third for Brabham. Young Italian, [[Riccardo Patrese]] got his Arrows into the lead before retiring with a blown engine. Pole sitter and reigning world champion [[Niki Lauda]], in his first season with Brabham, retired with engine failure and the Ferraris of [[Carlos Reutemann]] and [[Gilles Villeneuve]] exited on lap 55. [[James Hunt]], who had qualified third on the grid in his [[McLaren M26]], only lasted five laps when his engine failed, whilst his new teammate [[Patrick Tambay]], who qualified fourth, crashed out mid race.
[[Ronnie Peterson]], in the [[Lotus 78]] with its [[Colin Chapman]]-inspired [[ground effect in cars|ground effect]] aerodynamics, battled [[Patrick Depailler]] in his Tyrrell on the last lap to take a dramatic victory. John Watson finished third for Brabham. Young Italian, [[Riccardo Patrese]] got his Arrows into the lead before retiring with a blown engine. Pole sitter and reigning world champion [[Niki Lauda]], in his first season with Brabham, retired with engine failure and the Ferraris of [[Carlos Reutemann]] and [[Gilles Villeneuve]] exited on lap 55. [[James Hunt]], who had qualified third on the grid in his [[McLaren M26]], only lasted five laps when his engine failed, while his new teammate [[Patrick Tambay]], who qualified fourth, crashed out mid race.


== Classification ==
== Classification ==
===Qualifying===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 95%;"
|-
! Pos !! No !! Driver !! Constructor !! Time !! Gap
|-
! 1
| 1
| {{flagicon|Austria}} [[Niki Lauda]]
| [[Brabham]]-[[Alfa Romeo (Formula One)|Alfa Romeo]]
| 1:14.65
|align="center"| —
|-
! 2
| 5
| {{flagicon|US}} [[Mario Andretti]]
| [[Team Lotus|Lotus]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| 1:14.90
| +0.25
|-
! 3
| 7
| {{flagicon|UK}} [[James Hunt]]
| [[McLaren (racing)|McLaren]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| 1:15.14
| +0.49
|-
! 4
| 8
| {{flagicon|France}} [[Patrick Tambay]]
| [[McLaren (racing)|McLaren]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| 1:15.30
| +0.65
|-
! 5
| 20
| {{flagicon|South Africa|1928}} [[Jody Scheckter]]
| [[Walter Wolf Racing|Wolf]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| 1:15.32
| +0.67
|-
! 6
| 15
| {{flagicon|France}} [[Jean-Pierre Jabouille]]
| [[Renault F1|Renault]]
| 1:15.36
| +0.71
|-
! 7
| 35
| {{flagicon|Italy}} [[Riccardo Patrese]]
| [[Arrows Grand Prix International|Arrows]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| 1:15.48
| +0.83
|-
! 8
| 12
| {{flagicon|Canada}} [[Gilles Villeneuve]]
| [[Scuderia Ferrari|Ferrari]]
| 1:15.50
| +0.85
|-
! 9
| 11
| {{flagicon|Argentina}} [[Carlos Reutemann]]
| [[Scuderia Ferrari|Ferrari]]
| 1:15.52
| +0.87
|-
! 10
| 2
| {{flagicon|UK}} [[John Watson (racing driver)|John Watson]]
| [[Brabham]]-[[Alfa Romeo (Formula One)|Alfa Romeo]]
| 1:15.62
| +0.97
|-
! 11
| 6
| {{flagicon|Sweden}} [[Ronnie Peterson]]
| [[Team Lotus|Lotus]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| 1:15.94
| +1.29
|-
! 12
| 4
| {{flagicon|France}} [[Patrick Depailler]]
| [[Tyrrell Racing|Tyrrell]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| 1:15.97
| +1.32
|-
! 13
| 3
| {{flagicon|France}} [[Didier Pironi]]
| [[Tyrrell Racing|Tyrrell]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| 1:16.38
| +1.73
|-
! 14
| 26
| {{flagicon|France}} [[Jacques Laffite]]
| [[Equipe Ligier|Ligier]]-[[Equipe Matra Sports|Matra]]
| 1:16.40
| +1.75
|-
! 15
| 14
| {{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Emerson Fittipaldi]]
| [[Fittipaldi Automotive|Fittipaldi]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| 1:16.47
| +1.82
|-
! 16
| 9
| {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Jochen Mass]]
| [[ATS (wheels)|ATS]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| 1:16.60
| +1.95
|-
! 17
| 10
| {{flagicon|France}} [[Jean-Pierre Jarier]]
| [[ATS (wheels)|ATS]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| 1:17.12
| +2.47
|-
! 18
| 27
| {{flagicon|Australia}} [[Alan Jones (racing driver)|Alan Jones]]
| [[WilliamsF1|Williams]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| 1:17.16
| +2.51
|-
! 19
| 30
| {{flagicon|US}} [[Brett Lunger]]
| [[McLaren (racing)|McLaren]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| 1:17.30
| +2.65
|-
! 20
| 19
| {{flagicon|Italy}} [[Vittorio Brambilla]]
| [[Surtees Racing Organisation|Surtees]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| 1:17.32
| +2.67
|-
! 21
| 36
| {{flagicon|West Germany}} [[Rolf Stommelen]]
| [[Arrows Grand Prix International|Arrows]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| 1:17.49
| +2.84
|-
! 22
| 25
| {{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Héctor Rebaque]]
| [[Team Lotus|Lotus]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| 1:17.50
| +2.85
|-
! 23
| 18
| {{flagicon|UK}} [[Rupert Keegan]]
| [[Surtees Racing Organisation|Surtees]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| 1:17.57
| +2.92
|-
! 24
| 32
| {{flagicon|Finland}} [[Keke Rosberg]]
| [[Theodore Racing|Theodore]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| 1:17.62
| +2.97
|-
! 25
| 24
| {{flagicon|US}} [[Eddie Cheever]]
| [[Hesketh Racing|Hesketh]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| 1:17.83
| +3.18
|-
! 26
| 37
| {{flagicon|Italy}} [[Arturo Merzario]]
| [[Merzario]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| 1:18.15
| +3.50
|-
!style="background:#ffcccc;"| 27
| 31
| {{flagicon|France}} [[René Arnoux]]
| [[Automobiles Martini|Martini]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| 1:18.21
| +3.56
|-
!style="background:#ffcccc;"| 28
| 17
| {{flagicon|Switzerland}} [[Clay Regazzoni]]
| [[Shadow Racing Cars|Shadow]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| 1:18.30
| +3.65
|-
!style="background:#ffcccc;"| 29
| 22
| {{flagicon|Italy}} [[Lamberto Leoni]]
| [[Ensign (racing team)|Ensign]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| 1:18.38
| +3.73
|-
!style="background:#ffcccc;"| 30
| 16
| {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Hans-Joachim Stuck]]
| [[Shadow Racing Cars|Shadow]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| 1:18.45
| +3.80
|}
<nowiki/>*<nowiki/>Positions in red indicate entries that failed to qualify.

===Race===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
|-
|-
! Pos !! No !! Driver !! Constructor !! Laps !! Time/Retired !! Grid !! Points
! Pos !! No !! Driver !! Constructor !! Tyre !! Laps !! Time/Retired !! Grid !! Points
|-
|-
! 1
! 1
Line 56: Line 275:
| {{flagicon|Sweden}} '''[[Ronnie Peterson]]'''
| {{flagicon|Sweden}} '''[[Ronnie Peterson]]'''
| '''[[Team Lotus|Lotus]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]'''
| '''[[Team Lotus|Lotus]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]'''
| {{Goodyear}}
| 78
| 78
| 1:42:15.767
| 1:42:15.767
Line 65: Line 285:
| {{flagicon|France}} '''[[Patrick Depailler]]'''
| {{flagicon|France}} '''[[Patrick Depailler]]'''
| '''[[Tyrrell Racing|Tyrrell]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]'''
| '''[[Tyrrell Racing|Tyrrell]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]'''
| {{Goodyear}}
| 78
| 78
| +0.466
| +0.466
Line 74: Line 295:
| {{flagicon|UK}} '''[[John Watson (racing driver)|John Watson]]'''
| {{flagicon|UK}} '''[[John Watson (racing driver)|John Watson]]'''
| '''[[Brabham]]-[[Alfa Romeo in Formula One|Alfa Romeo]]'''
| '''[[Brabham]]-[[Alfa Romeo in Formula One|Alfa Romeo]]'''
| {{Goodyear}}
| 78
| 78
| +4.442
| +4.442
Line 83: Line 305:
| {{flagicon|Australia}} '''[[Alan Jones (racing driver)|Alan Jones]]'''
| {{flagicon|Australia}} '''[[Alan Jones (racing driver)|Alan Jones]]'''
| '''[[Williams Grand Prix Engineering|Williams]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]'''
| '''[[Williams Grand Prix Engineering|Williams]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]'''
| {{Goodyear}}
| 78
| 78
| +30.986
| +30.986
Line 92: Line 315:
| {{flagicon|France}} '''[[Jacques Laffite]]'''
| {{flagicon|France}} '''[[Jacques Laffite]]'''
| '''[[Equipe Ligier|Ligier]]-[[Equipe Matra Sports|Matra]]'''
| '''[[Equipe Ligier|Ligier]]-[[Equipe Matra Sports|Matra]]'''
| {{Goodyear}}
| 78
| 78
| +1:09.218
| +1:09.218
Line 101: Line 325:
| {{flagicon|France}} '''[[Didier Pironi]]'''
| {{flagicon|France}} '''[[Didier Pironi]]'''
| '''[[Tyrrell Racing|Tyrrell]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]'''
| '''[[Tyrrell Racing|Tyrrell]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]'''
| {{Goodyear}}
| 77
| 77
| +1 Lap
| +1 Lap
Line 110: Line 335:
| {{flagicon|US}} [[Mario Andretti]]
| {{flagicon|US}} [[Mario Andretti]]
| [[Team Lotus|Lotus]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| [[Team Lotus|Lotus]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| {{Goodyear}}
| 77
| 77
| +1 Lap
| +1 Lap
Line 119: Line 345:
| {{flagicon|France}} [[Jean-Pierre Jarier]]
| {{flagicon|France}} [[Jean-Pierre Jarier]]
| [[ATS (wheels)|ATS]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| [[ATS (wheels)|ATS]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| {{Goodyear}}
| 77
| 77
| +1 Lap
| +1 Lap
Line 128: Line 355:
| {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Rolf Stommelen]]
| {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Rolf Stommelen]]
| [[Arrows Grand Prix International|Arrows]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| [[Arrows Grand Prix International|Arrows]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| {{Goodyear}}
| 77
| 77
| +1 Lap
| +1 Lap
Line 137: Line 365:
| {{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Héctor Rebaque]]
| {{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Héctor Rebaque]]
| [[Team Lotus|Lotus]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| [[Team Lotus|Lotus]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| {{Goodyear}}
| 77
| 77
| +1 Lap
| +1 Lap
Line 146: Line 375:
| {{flagicon|US}} [[Brett Lunger]]
| {{flagicon|US}} [[Brett Lunger]]
| [[McLaren]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| [[McLaren]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| {{Goodyear}}
| 76
| 76
| +2 Laps
| +2 Laps
Line 154: Line 384:
| 19
| 19
| {{flagicon|Italy}} [[Vittorio Brambilla]]
| {{flagicon|Italy}} [[Vittorio Brambilla]]
| [[Surtees]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| [[Surtees Racing Organisation|Surtees]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| {{Goodyear}}
| 76
| 76
| +2 Laps
| +2 Laps
Line 164: Line 395:
| {{flagicon|Italy}} [[Riccardo Patrese]]
| {{flagicon|Italy}} [[Riccardo Patrese]]
| [[Arrows Grand Prix International|Arrows]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| [[Arrows Grand Prix International|Arrows]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| {{Goodyear}}
| 63
| 63
| Engine
| Engine
Line 173: Line 405:
| {{flagicon|South Africa|1928}} [[Jody Scheckter]]
| {{flagicon|South Africa|1928}} [[Jody Scheckter]]
| [[Walter Wolf Racing|Wolf]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| [[Walter Wolf Racing|Wolf]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| {{Goodyear}}
| 59
| 59
| Spun Off
| Spun Off
Line 182: Line 415:
| {{flagicon|France}} [[Patrick Tambay]]
| {{flagicon|France}} [[Patrick Tambay]]
| [[McLaren]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| [[McLaren]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| {{Goodyear}}
| 56
| 56
| Accident
| Accident
Line 191: Line 425:
| {{flagicon|Canada}} [[Gilles Villeneuve]]
| {{flagicon|Canada}} [[Gilles Villeneuve]]
| [[Scuderia Ferrari|Ferrari]]
| [[Scuderia Ferrari|Ferrari]]
| {{Michelin}}
| 55
| 55
| Oil Leak
| Oil Leak
Line 200: Line 435:
| {{flagicon|Argentina}} [[Carlos Reutemann]]
| {{flagicon|Argentina}} [[Carlos Reutemann]]
| [[Scuderia Ferrari|Ferrari]]
| [[Scuderia Ferrari|Ferrari]]
| {{Michelin}}
| 55
| 55
| Spun Off
| Spun Off
Line 209: Line 445:
| {{flagicon|Austria}} [[Niki Lauda]]
| {{flagicon|Austria}} [[Niki Lauda]]
| [[Brabham]]-[[Alfa Romeo in Formula One|Alfa Romeo]]
| [[Brabham]]-[[Alfa Romeo in Formula One|Alfa Romeo]]
| {{Goodyear}}
| 52
| 52
| Engine
| Engine
Line 217: Line 454:
| 18
| 18
| {{flagicon|UK}} [[Rupert Keegan]]
| {{flagicon|UK}} [[Rupert Keegan]]
| [[Surtees]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| [[Surtees Racing Organisation|Surtees]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| {{Goodyear}}
| 52
| 52
| Engine
| Engine
Line 227: Line 465:
| {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Jochen Mass]]
| {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Jochen Mass]]
| [[ATS (wheels)|ATS]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| [[ATS (wheels)|ATS]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| {{Goodyear}}
| 43
| 43
| Engine
| Engine
Line 236: Line 475:
| {{flagicon|Italy}} [[Arturo Merzario]]
| {{flagicon|Italy}} [[Arturo Merzario]]
| [[Merzario]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| [[Merzario]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| {{Goodyear}}
| 39
| 39
| Suspension
| Suspension
Line 245: Line 485:
| {{flagicon|France}} [[Jean-Pierre Jabouille]]
| {{flagicon|France}} [[Jean-Pierre Jabouille]]
| [[Renault in Formula One|Renault]]
| [[Renault in Formula One|Renault]]
| {{Michelin}}
| 38
| 38
| Engine
| Engine
Line 254: Line 495:
| {{flagicon|Finland}} [[Keke Rosberg]]
| {{flagicon|Finland}} [[Keke Rosberg]]
| [[Theodore Racing|Theodore]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| [[Theodore Racing|Theodore]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| {{Goodyear}}
| 15
| 15
| Clutch
| Clutch
Line 263: Line 505:
| {{flagicon|Brazil|1968}} [[Emerson Fittipaldi]]
| {{flagicon|Brazil|1968}} [[Emerson Fittipaldi]]
| [[Fittipaldi Automotive|Fittipaldi]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| [[Fittipaldi Automotive|Fittipaldi]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| {{Goodyear}}
| 9
| 9
| Transmission
| Transmission
Line 272: Line 515:
| {{flagicon|US}} [[Eddie Cheever]]
| {{flagicon|US}} [[Eddie Cheever]]
| [[Hesketh Racing|Hesketh]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| [[Hesketh Racing|Hesketh]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| {{Goodyear}}
| 8
| 8
| Oil Leak
| Oil Leak
Line 281: Line 525:
| {{flagicon|UK}} [[James Hunt]]
| {{flagicon|UK}} [[James Hunt]]
| [[McLaren]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| [[McLaren]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| {{Goodyear}}
| 5
| 5
| Engine
| Engine
Line 290: Line 535:
| {{flagicon|France}} [[René Arnoux]]
| {{flagicon|France}} [[René Arnoux]]
| [[Automobiles Martini|Martini]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| [[Automobiles Martini|Martini]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| {{Goodyear}}
|
|
|
|
Line 299: Line 545:
| {{flagicon|Switzerland}} [[Clay Regazzoni]]
| {{flagicon|Switzerland}} [[Clay Regazzoni]]
| [[Shadow Racing Cars|Shadow]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| [[Shadow Racing Cars|Shadow]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| {{Goodyear}}
|
|
|
|
Line 308: Line 555:
| {{flagicon|Italy}} [[Lamberto Leoni]]
| {{flagicon|Italy}} [[Lamberto Leoni]]
| [[Ensign Racing|Ensign]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| [[Ensign Racing|Ensign]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| {{Goodyear}}
|
|
|
|
Line 317: Line 565:
| {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Hans-Joachim Stuck]]
| {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Hans-Joachim Stuck]]
| [[Shadow Racing Cars|Shadow]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| [[Shadow Racing Cars|Shadow]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| {{Goodyear}}
|
|
|
|
Line 322: Line 571:
|
|
|-
|-
!colspan="8"|{{center|Source:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.formula1.com/results/season/1978/411/ |title=1978 South African Grand Prix |publisher=formula1.com |access-date=23 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903035136/http://www.formula1.com/results/season/1978/411/ |archive-date=3 September 2014}}</ref>}}
!colspan="9"|{{center|Source:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.formula1.com/results/season/1978/411/ |title=1978 South African Grand Prix |publisher=formula1.com |access-date=23 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903035136/http://www.formula1.com/results/season/1978/411/ |archive-date=3 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gparchive.com/formula-1/1978-south-african-grand-prix/|title=1978 South African Grand Prix - Race Results & History - GP Archive|website=GPArchive.com|date=4 March 1978 |access-date=5 November 2021}}</ref>}}
|}
|}


== Lap leaders ==
== Notes ==

* [[Mario Andretti]] 20 laps (1–20)
* This was the Formula One World Championship debut for Finnish driver and future World Champion [[Keke Rosberg]] and for French driver and future Grand Prix winner [[René Arnoux]].
* [[Jody Scheckter]] 6 laps (21–26)
* This was the Formula One World Championship for French constructor [[Automobiles Martini|Martini]].
* [[Riccardo Patrese]] 37 laps (27–63)
* [[Patrick Depailler]] 14 laps (64–77)
* [[Ronnie Peterson]] 1 lap (78)


==Championship standings after the race==
== Championship standings after the race ==
{{col-start}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}
;Drivers' Championship standings
;Drivers' Championship standings
Line 362: Line 609:
| align="right"| 9
| align="right"| 9
|-
|-
!colspan=4|Source: <ref name="Championship">{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/1978/afrique-du-sud/championnat.aspx|title=South Africa 1978 - Championship • STATS F1|website=www.statsf1.com|access-date=20 March 2019}}</ref>
!colspan=4|Source:<ref name="Championship">{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/1978/afrique-du-sud/championnat.aspx|title=South Africa 1978 - Championship • STATS F1|website=statsf1.com|access-date=20 March 2019}}</ref>
|}
|}
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}
Line 392: Line 639:
| align="right"| 6
| align="right"| 6
|-
|-
!colspan=4|Source: <ref name="Championship"/>
!colspan=4|Source:<ref name="Championship"/>
|}
|}
{{col-end}}
{{col-end}}
Line 412: Line 659:
[[Category:South African Grand Prix]]
[[Category:South African Grand Prix]]
[[Category:1978 Formula One races|South African Grand Prix]]
[[Category:1978 Formula One races|South African Grand Prix]]
[[Category:1978 in South African sport|Grand Prix]]
[[Category:1978 in South African motorsport|Grand Prix]]
[[Category:March 1978 sports events in Africa|South African Grand Prix]]
[[Category:March 1978 sports events in Africa|South African Grand Prix]]

Latest revision as of 06:59, 29 August 2024

1978 South African Grand Prix
Race 3 of 16 in the 1978 Formula One season
Race details
Date 4 March 1978
Official name XXIV Citizen and Asseng Grand Prix of South Africa
Location Kyalami
Transvaal Province, South Africa
Course Permanent racing facility
Course length 4.104 km (2.550 miles)
Distance 78 laps, 320.112 km (198.908 miles)
Weather Dry
Pole position
Driver
Brabham-Alfa Romeo
Time 1:14.65
Fastest lap
Driver United States Mario Andretti Lotus-Ford
Time 1:17.09 on lap 2
Podium
First
Lotus-Ford
Second
Tyrrell-Ford
Third
Brabham-Alfa Romeo
Lap leaders

The 1978 South African Grand Prix (formally the XXIV Citizen and Asseng Grand Prix of South Africa) was a Formula One motor race held on 4 March 1978 at Kyalami. It was the third round of the 1978 Formula One season and the 300th World Championship Grand Prix held since the championship began in 1950. This was the debut race of the future world champion Keke Rosberg.

The Ferrari (312T3) and Brabham (BT46) teams had new cars in Kyalami for the race. The event also saw the return of Renault with its unique turbocharged car.

Summary

[edit]

Ronnie Peterson, in the Lotus 78 with its Colin Chapman-inspired ground effect aerodynamics, battled Patrick Depailler in his Tyrrell on the last lap to take a dramatic victory. John Watson finished third for Brabham. Young Italian, Riccardo Patrese got his Arrows into the lead before retiring with a blown engine. Pole sitter and reigning world champion Niki Lauda, in his first season with Brabham, retired with engine failure and the Ferraris of Carlos Reutemann and Gilles Villeneuve exited on lap 55. James Hunt, who had qualified third on the grid in his McLaren M26, only lasted five laps when his engine failed, while his new teammate Patrick Tambay, who qualified fourth, crashed out mid race.

Classification

[edit]

Qualifying

[edit]
Pos No Driver Constructor Time Gap
1 1 Austria Niki Lauda Brabham-Alfa Romeo 1:14.65 —
2 5 United States Mario Andretti Lotus-Ford 1:14.90 +0.25
3 7 United Kingdom James Hunt McLaren-Ford 1:15.14 +0.49
4 8 France Patrick Tambay McLaren-Ford 1:15.30 +0.65
5 20 South Africa Jody Scheckter Wolf-Ford 1:15.32 +0.67
6 15 France Jean-Pierre Jabouille Renault 1:15.36 +0.71
7 35 Italy Riccardo Patrese Arrows-Ford 1:15.48 +0.83
8 12 Canada Gilles Villeneuve Ferrari 1:15.50 +0.85
9 11 Argentina Carlos Reutemann Ferrari 1:15.52 +0.87
10 2 United Kingdom John Watson Brabham-Alfa Romeo 1:15.62 +0.97
11 6 Sweden Ronnie Peterson Lotus-Ford 1:15.94 +1.29
12 4 France Patrick Depailler Tyrrell-Ford 1:15.97 +1.32
13 3 France Didier Pironi Tyrrell-Ford 1:16.38 +1.73
14 26 France Jacques Laffite Ligier-Matra 1:16.40 +1.75
15 14 Brazil Emerson Fittipaldi Fittipaldi-Ford 1:16.47 +1.82
16 9 West Germany Jochen Mass ATS-Ford 1:16.60 +1.95
17 10 France Jean-Pierre Jarier ATS-Ford 1:17.12 +2.47
18 27 Australia Alan Jones Williams-Ford 1:17.16 +2.51
19 30 United States Brett Lunger McLaren-Ford 1:17.30 +2.65
20 19 Italy Vittorio Brambilla Surtees-Ford 1:17.32 +2.67
21 36 West Germany Rolf Stommelen Arrows-Ford 1:17.49 +2.84
22 25 Mexico Héctor Rebaque Lotus-Ford 1:17.50 +2.85
23 18 United Kingdom Rupert Keegan Surtees-Ford 1:17.57 +2.92
24 32 Finland Keke Rosberg Theodore-Ford 1:17.62 +2.97
25 24 United States Eddie Cheever Hesketh-Ford 1:17.83 +3.18
26 37 Italy Arturo Merzario Merzario-Ford 1:18.15 +3.50
27 31 France René Arnoux Martini-Ford 1:18.21 +3.56
28 17 Switzerland Clay Regazzoni Shadow-Ford 1:18.30 +3.65
29 22 Italy Lamberto Leoni Ensign-Ford 1:18.38 +3.73
30 16 West Germany Hans-Joachim Stuck Shadow-Ford 1:18.45 +3.80

*Positions in red indicate entries that failed to qualify.

Race

[edit]
Pos No Driver Constructor Tyre Laps Time/Retired Grid Points
1 6 Sweden Ronnie Peterson Lotus-Ford G 78 1:42:15.767 12 9
2 4 France Patrick Depailler Tyrrell-Ford G 78 +0.466 11 6
3 2 United Kingdom John Watson Brabham-Alfa Romeo G 78 +4.442 10 4
4 27 Australia Alan Jones Williams-Ford G 78 +30.986 18 3
5 26 France Jacques Laffite Ligier-Matra G 78 +1:09.218 13 2
6 3 France Didier Pironi Tyrrell-Ford G 77 +1 Lap 14 1
7 5 United States Mario Andretti Lotus-Ford G 77 +1 Lap 2
8 10 France Jean-Pierre Jarier ATS-Ford G 77 +1 Lap 17
9 36 West Germany Rolf Stommelen Arrows-Ford G 77 +1 Lap 22
10 25 Mexico Héctor Rebaque Lotus-Ford G 77 +1 Lap 21
11 30 United States Brett Lunger McLaren-Ford G 76 +2 Laps 20
12 19 Italy Vittorio Brambilla Surtees-Ford G 76 +2 Laps 19
Ret 35 Italy Riccardo Patrese Arrows-Ford G 63 Engine 7
Ret 20 South Africa Jody Scheckter Wolf-Ford G 59 Spun Off 5
Ret 8 France Patrick Tambay McLaren-Ford G 56 Accident 4
Ret 12 Canada Gilles Villeneuve Ferrari M 55 Oil Leak 8
Ret 11 Argentina Carlos Reutemann Ferrari M 55 Spun Off 9
Ret 1 Austria Niki Lauda Brabham-Alfa Romeo G 52 Engine 1
Ret 18 United Kingdom Rupert Keegan Surtees-Ford G 52 Engine 23
Ret 9 West Germany Jochen Mass ATS-Ford G 43 Engine 15
Ret 37 Italy Arturo Merzario Merzario-Ford G 39 Suspension 26
Ret 15 France Jean-Pierre Jabouille Renault M 38 Engine 6
Ret 32 Finland Keke Rosberg Theodore-Ford G 15 Clutch 24
Ret 14 Brazil Emerson Fittipaldi Fittipaldi-Ford G 9 Transmission 16
Ret 24 United States Eddie Cheever Hesketh-Ford G 8 Oil Leak 25
Ret 7 United Kingdom James Hunt McLaren-Ford G 5 Engine 3
DNQ 31 France René Arnoux Martini-Ford G
DNQ 17 Switzerland Clay Regazzoni Shadow-Ford G
DNQ 23 Italy Lamberto Leoni Ensign-Ford G
DNQ 16 West Germany Hans-Joachim Stuck Shadow-Ford G
Source:[1][2]

Notes

[edit]
  • This was the Formula One World Championship debut for Finnish driver and future World Champion Keke Rosberg and for French driver and future Grand Prix winner René Arnoux.
  • This was the Formula One World Championship for French constructor Martini.

Championship standings after the race

[edit]
  • Note: Only the top five positions are included for both sets of standings.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "1978 South African Grand Prix". formula1.com. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  2. ^ "1978 South African Grand Prix - Race Results & History - GP Archive". GPArchive.com. 4 March 1978. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
  3. ^ a b "South Africa 1978 - Championship • STATS F1". statsf1.com. Retrieved 20 March 2019.


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1978 Brazilian Grand Prix 		FIA Formula One World Championship
1978 season 		Next race:
1978 United States Grand Prix West
Previous race:
1977 South African Grand Prix 		South African Grand Prix Next race:
1979 South African Grand Prix
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