1985 South African Grand Prix

The 1985 South African Grand Prix, officially known as the XIX Southern Sun Hotels Grand Prix of South Africa, was the fifteenth and penultimate round of the FIA Formula One World Championship, staged at the Kyalami Circuit in South Africa on the 19 October 1985.'South African GP, 1985', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2015), http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr419.html, (Accessed 26/03/2019) The race would be one of the more controversial in F1's history, and would be the last South African Grand Prix to be staged before the end of apartheid.
Indeed, the decision to race in South Africa had been made fairly late by Jean-Marie Balestre and FISA, with numerous countries having placed sanctions on South Africa as a result of the aforementioned apartheid. Indeed, France encouraged their two representatives on the F1 grid, and to boycott the race, while Brazil tried to encourage their drivers Nelson Piquet and Ayrton Senna to sit it out as well. Most of the other teams and drivers cited their contracts with FISA and FOCA, as well as the Concorde Agreement, as their reason for taking part.
Ultimately the field would be further reduced by travel costs, leaving 21 drivers to take part across the weekend. Qualifying would see Nigel Mansell sweep to pole ahead of Piquet, while Keke Rosberg and Senna shared the second row. New World Champion Alain Prost, meanwhile, would start from ninth behind teammate and out-going Champion Niki Lauda.
The field would be further reduced on race morning, with Alan Jones withdrawing after feeling unwell overnight. The start saw the field further thinned as Riccardo Patrese and Eddie Cheever bounced their s off one-another, with Patrese sent skating into the back of Piercarlo Ghinzani.
At the head of the field, meanwhile, Mansell would ace his getaway to claim an early lead, while Rosberg dropped down to sixth after missing a hear. Marc Surer, meanwhile, would make a strong start to run in fifth, but was soon shuffled down the order during the opening tour.
The race soon developed into one of attrition, with Piquet dropping out of second early on after an engine failure. Rosberg, meanwhile, would take advantage of a ferocious fight between the two s to grab second, and duly went chasing off after Mansell as Senna and Elio de Angelis squabbled for third.
Indeed, Rosberg would briefly lead the race after catching Mansell, although a spin on an oil slick left by Ghinzani dropped the Finn back down to fifth. Quick fire retirements moments before had seen Senna and Michele Alboreto drop out of the running, leaving Mansell leading from Prost, Lauda, de Angelis and Rosberg, with the field reduced to just ten cars in the space of seventeen laps.
Rosberg would have to wait until the stops to make any progress on the McLarens, having already passed de Angelis, although he would be gifted third when Lauda's turbo failed just before half-distance. The Finn would, however, manage to catch and pass Prost, before again sprinting off after Mansell out front.
Ultimately, however, there would be no further changes for the podium spots, with Mansell able to cruise home eight seconds clear of teammate Rosberg to claim his second victory in two races. Prost, meanwhile, would come home third a lap down, while a late retirement for de Angelis promoted Stefan Johansson into fourth.
A few days after the race FISA president Balestre would announce that F1 would not return to South Africa again until the apartheid was lifted. The series would ultimately remain true to the Frenchman's word, with South Africa having to wait until 1992 to host a Grand Prix again.
==Background==
Fourth place at the European Grand Prix had proved more than enough for Alain Prost to claim his maiden World Championship, the Frenchman becoming the first man from La République to claim the crown. Indeed, Michele Alboreto would have to settle for second after his retirement at Brands Hatch, with the Italian holding a healthy fifteen point advantage over third placed Ayrton Senna arriving at Kyalami. The Brazilian himself, meanwhile, could secure his first top-three Championship finish in South Africa, if he could outscore teammate Elio de Angelis.
In the Constructors' Championship it was advantage with two rounds to go, with the Anglo-German effort needing to outscore by six points in South Africa to take the crown. Indeed, the Italian team were now under serious threat of losing second, with making a late bid for the title amid Senna's late form. The Ethel effort would arrive in Kyalami fifteen points behind the leaders, and just six off the back of the Scuderia in second, although McLaren-TAG Porsche were still favourites regardless.
===Entry List===
The full entry list for the is outlined below:
No. 	Driver 	Entrant 	Constructor 	Chassis 	Engine 	Model 	Tyre
1 	Niki Lauda 	Marlboro McLaren International 	 	MP4/2B 	 	TTE PO1 1.5 V6t 	
2 	Alain Prost 	Marlboro McLaren International 	 	MP4/2B 	 	TTE PO1 1.5 V6t 	
3 	Martin Brundle 	Tyrrell Racing Organisation 	 	014 	 	EF4B 1.5 V6t 	
4 	Philippe Streiff 	Tyrrell Racing Organisation 	 	014 	 	EF4B 1.5 V6t 	
5 	Nigel Mansell 	Canon Williams Honda Team 	 	FW10B 	 	RA163E 1.5 V6t 	
6 	Keke Rosberg 	Canon Williams Honda Team 	 	FW10B 	 	RA163E 1.5 V6t 	
7 	Nelson Piquet 	Motor Racing Developments Ltd. 	 	BT54 	 	M12/13 1.5 L4t 	
8 	Marc Surer 	Motor Racing Developments Ltd. 	 	BT54 	 	M12/13 1.5 L4t 	
11 	Elio de Angelis 	John Player Special Team Lotus 	 	97T 	 	EF4 1.5 V6t 	
12 	Ayrton Senna 	John Player Special Team Lotus 	 	97T 	 	EF4 1.5 V6t 	
17 	Gerhard Berger 	Barclay Arrows BMW 	 	A8 	 	M12/13 1.5 L4t 	
18 	Thierry Boutsen 	Barclay Arrows BMW 	 	A8 	 	M12/13 1.5 L4t 	
19 	Teo Fabi 	Toleman Group Motorsport 	 	TG185 	 	415T 1.5 L4t 	
20 	Piercarlo Ghinzani 	Toleman Group Motorsport 	 	TG185 	 	415T 1.5 L4t 	
22 	Riccardo Patrese 	Benetton Team Alfa Romeo 	 	185T 	 	890T 1.5 V8t 	
23 	Eddie Cheever 	Benetton Team Alfa Romeo 	 	185T 	 	890T 1.5 V8t 	
24 	Huub Rothengatter 	Osella Squadra Corse 	 	FA1G 	 	890T 1.5 V8t 	
27 	Michele Alboreto 	Scuderia Ferrari SpA SEFAC 	 	156/85 	 	031 1.5 V6t 	
28 	Stefan Johansson 	Scuderia Ferrari SpA SEFAC 	 	156/85 	 	031 1.5 V6t 	
29 	Pierluigi Martini 	Minardi Team SpA 	 	M185 	 	615-90 1.5 V6t 	
33 	Alan Jones 	Team Haas (USA) Ltd. 	 	THL1 	 	415T 1.5 L4t 	
Source:'South Africa 1985: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/afrique-du-sud/engages.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)	Source:'South Africa 1985: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/afrique-du-sud/engages.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)	Source:'South Africa 1985: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/afrique-du-sud/engages.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)	Source:'South Africa 1985: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/afrique-du-sud/engages.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)	Source:'South Africa 1985: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/afrique-du-sud/engages.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)	Source:'South Africa 1985: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/afrique-du-sud/engages.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)	Source:'South Africa 1985: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/afrique-du-sud/engages.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)	Source:'South Africa 1985: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/afrique-du-sud/engages.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)
==Practice Overview==
==Qualifying==
===Friday Qualifying===
===Saturday Qualifying===
===Qualifying Results===
The full qualifying results for the are outlined below:
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Time 	Time 	Gap
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Q1 	Q2 	Gap
1 	5 	Nigel Mansell 	 	1:03.188 	1:02.366 	—
2 	7 	Nelson Piquet 	 	1:03.844 	1:02.490 	+0.124s
3 	6 	Keke Rosberg 	 	1:03.073 	1:02.504 	+0.138s
4 	12 	Ayrton Senna 	 	1:04.517 	1:02.825 	+0.459s
5 	8 	Marc Surer 	 	1:05.411 	1:04.088 	+1.722s
6 	11 	Elio de Angelis 	 	1:04.611 	1:04.129 	+1.763s
7 	19 	Teo Fabi 	 	1:06.083 	1:04.215 	+1.849s
8 	1 	Niki Lauda 	 	1:05.357 	1:04.283 	+1.917s
9 	2 	Alain Prost 	 	1:05.757 	1:04.376 	+2.010s
10 	18 	Thierry Boutsen 	 	1:05.079 	1:04.518 	+2.152s
11 	17 	Gerhard Berger 	 	1:06.546 	1:04.780 	+2.414s
12 	22 	Riccardo Patrese 	 	1:06.386 	1:04.948 	+2.582s
13 	20 	Piercarlo Ghinzani 	 	1:07.800 	1:05.114 	+2.748s
14 	23 	Eddie Cheever 	 	1:07.159 	1:05.260 	+2.894s
15 	27 	Michele Alboreto 	 	1:05.268 	1:05.757 	+2.902s
16 	28 	Stefan Johansson 	 	1:05.406 	1:05.388 	+3.022s
17 	3 	Martin Brundle 	 	1:06.709 	1:05.649 	+3.283s
18* 	33 	Alan Jones 	 	1:07.144 	1:05.731 	+3.365s
19 	4 	Philippe Streiff 	 	1:07.935 	1:06.205 	+3.839s
20 	29 	Pierluigi Martini 	 	1:10.025 	1:08.658 	+6.292s
21 	24 	Huub Rothengatter 	 	1:09.904 	1:09.873 	+7.507s
Source:'Southern Sun Hotels Grand Prix 1985 - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1985/races/496/south-africa/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 26/03/2019)'Southern Sun Hotels Grand Prix 1985 - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1985/races/496/south-africa/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 26/03/2019)'South Africa 1985: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/afrique-du-sud/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)	Source:'Southern Sun Hotels Grand Prix 1985 - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1985/races/496/south-africa/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 26/03/2019)'Southern Sun Hotels Grand Prix 1985 - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1985/races/496/south-africa/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 26/03/2019)'South Africa 1985: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/afrique-du-sud/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)	Source:'Southern Sun Hotels Grand Prix 1985 - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1985/races/496/south-africa/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 26/03/2019)'Southern Sun Hotels Grand Prix 1985 - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1985/races/496/south-africa/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 26/03/2019)'South Africa 1985: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/afrique-du-sud/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)	Source:'Southern Sun Hotels Grand Prix 1985 - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1985/races/496/south-africa/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 26/03/2019)'Southern Sun Hotels Grand Prix 1985 - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1985/races/496/south-africa/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 26/03/2019)'South Africa 1985: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/afrique-du-sud/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)	Source:'Southern Sun Hotels Grand Prix 1985 - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1985/races/496/south-africa/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 26/03/2019)'Southern Sun Hotels Grand Prix 1985 - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1985/races/496/south-africa/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 26/03/2019)'South Africa 1985: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/afrique-du-sud/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)	Source:'Southern Sun Hotels Grand Prix 1985 - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1985/races/496/south-africa/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 26/03/2019)'Southern Sun Hotels Grand Prix 1985 - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1985/races/496/south-africa/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 26/03/2019)'South Africa 1985: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/afrique-du-sud/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)	Source:'Southern Sun Hotels Grand Prix 1985 - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1985/races/496/south-africa/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 26/03/2019)'Southern Sun Hotels Grand Prix 1985 - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1985/races/496/south-africa/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 26/03/2019)'South Africa 1985: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/afrique-du-sud/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)
*T Indicates a driver used their test/spare car to set their best time in that session.
*Bold indicates a driver's best/qualifying time.
** Jones was effectively withdrawn from the race on race morning after feeling unwell.
===Grid===
==Race==
===Report===
===Results===
The full results for the are outlined below:
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Laps 	Time/Retired 	Grid 	Points
1 	5 	Nigel Mansell 	 	75 	1:28:22.866 	1 	9
2 	6 	Keke Rosberg 	 	75 	+7.572s 	3 	6
3 	2 	Alain Prost 	 	74 	+1 Lap 	9 	4
4 	28 	Stefan Johansson 	 	74 	+1 Lap 	16 	3
5 	17 	Gerhard Berger 	 	74 	+1 Lap 	11 	2
6 	18 	Thierry Boutsen 	 	74 	+1 Lap 	10 	1
7 	3 	Martin Brundle 	 	73 	+2 Laps 	17 	
Ret 	11 	Elio de Angelis 	 	52 	Engine 	6 	
Ret 	29 	Pierluigi Martini 	 	45 	Radiator 	20 	
Ret 	1 	Niki Lauda 	 	37 	Turbo 	8 	
Ret 	4 	Philippe Streiff 	 	16 	Accident 	19 	
Ret 	12 	Ayrton Senna 	 	8 	Engine 	4 	
Ret 	27 	Michele Alboreto 	 	8 	Turbo 	15 	
Ret 	7 	Nelson Piquet 	 	6 	Engine 	2 	
Ret 	20 	Piercarlo Ghinzani 	 	4 	Engine 	13 	
Ret 	19 	Teo Fabi 	 	3 	Engine 	7 	
Ret 	8 	Marc Surer 	 	3 	Engine 	5 	
Ret 	24 	Huub Rothengatter 	 	1 	Electrical 	21 	
Ret 	22 	Riccardo Patrese 	 	0 	Collsion 	12 	
Ret 	23 	Eddie Cheever 	 	0 	Collision 	14 	
DNS 	33 	Alan Jones 	 	 	 	 	
Source:'South Africa 1985: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/afrique-du-sud/classement.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)	Source:'South Africa 1985: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/afrique-du-sud/classement.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)	Source:'South Africa 1985: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/afrique-du-sud/classement.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)	Source:'South Africa 1985: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/afrique-du-sud/classement.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)	Source:'South Africa 1985: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/afrique-du-sud/classement.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)	Source:'South Africa 1985: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/afrique-du-sud/classement.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)	Source:'South Africa 1985: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/afrique-du-sud/classement.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)	Source:'South Africa 1985: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/afrique-du-sud/classement.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)
*T Indicates a driver used their test/spare car.
==Milestones==
* 100th race entry for Alan Jones.'1985 South African GP', chicanef1.com, (Chicane F1, 2015), http://www.chicanef1.com/racetit.pl?year=1985&gp=South%20African%20GP&r=1, (Accessed 26/03/2019)
* Second career victory for Nigel Mansell.'15. South Africa 1985', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/afrique-du-sud.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)
* secured their 21st victory as a constructor.
** Engine suppliers claimed their sixth win.
* secured their 30th podium finish courtesy of Alain Prost.
* Keke Rosberg recorded the 25th fastest lap for a car using #6 as its race number.
==Standings==
With Alain Prost already declared as Champion, and Michele Alboreto set to finish second, the interest in the Championship heading into the final round would be on the battle for third. Indeed, four drivers could mathematically take the final end-of-season podium spot, although Ayrton Senna was in the best position on 38 points. Five points separated him from teammate Elio de Angelis, while Nigel Mansell and Keke Rosberg were two further back, level on 31.
In the Constructors' Championship, however, it was still all to play for, although with a ten point lead it looked to be 's title to lose. Indeed, the Anglo-German squad would need to score five points in Australia to retain their crown, with the only team that could deny them. Yet, the Italian team would require a double podium in Oceania just to draw level with their rivals, with a one-two the only realistic chance for them to claim the crown.
World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers
Pos. 	Driver 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	Alain Prost 	73 	
2 	Michele Alboreto 	53 	
3 	Ayrton Senna 	38 	
4 	Elio de Angelis 	33 	
5 	Nigel Mansell 	31 	1
6 	Keke Rosberg 	31 	1
7 	Stefan Johansson 	24 	1
8 	Nelson Piquet 	21 	1
9 	Niki Lauda 	14 	
10 	Thierry Boutsen 	11 	1
11 	Patrick Tambay 	11 	1
12 	Jacques Laffite 	10 	
13 	Marc Surer 	5 	
14 	Derek Warwick 	5 	
15 	Stefan Bellof 	4 	
16 	Andrea de Cesaris 	3 	
17 	René Arnoux 	3 	
18 	Gerhard Berger 	2 	1
World Championship for Manufacturers	World Championship for Manufacturers	World Championship for Manufacturers	World Championship for Manufacturers
Pos. 	Team 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	 	90 	
2 	 	80 	
3 	 	71 	
4 	 	62 	
5 	 	26 	
6 	 	16 	
7 	 	13 	1
8 	 	13 	1
9 	 	4 	
Only point scoring drivers and constructors are shown.
==References==
Images and Videos:
* 
References:
Category:Grand Prix articles
Category:Grand Prix articles
Category:1985 Grands Prix
Category:South African Grand Prix
Category:Formula One races in South Africa