Claim: Gilles Villeneuve was the champion of the 1979 South African Grand Prix, a Formula One motor race held on March 3, 1979 at Kyalami, with a time of 1:41:49.96; followed by Jody Scheckter with a time of 1:41:53.38.
Evidence: The race, contested over 78 laps, was the third race of the 1979 Formula One season and was won by Gilles Villeneuve, driving a Ferrari. The 1979 South African Grand Prix (formally the XXV Simba Grand Prix of South Africa) was a Formula One motor race held on 3 March 1979 at Kyalami. 1:41:49.96 + 3.42 South_Africa Jody Scheckter Canada Gilles Villeneuve