As South African F1 fans, modern Formula 1 action can feel frustratingly far away. No home Grand Prix to watch in person, no South African F1 drivers on the grid to support. Most of our time is spent watching races happen from Monza to Las Vegas and everywhere in between.
But rewind a few decades and the story looks a bit different.
Most don’t know that South Africa once has its own thriving F1 scene, where some of the world’s most successful F1 drivers took to the track at Kyalami. We’ve even produced our own legendary drivers, including someone who became a World Champion with Ferrari.
A Brief History of Formula 1 in South Africa
The first ever South African Grand Prix took place in 1934 at the Prince George Circuit in East London. This wasn’t technically an F1 race, but rather a separate handicap motor racing event. Almost three decades later, South Africa was added to the Formula 1 calendar with the debut race in 1962, at that same circuit in East London.
Five years later, the race moved over to the newly built Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in Midrand, Gauteng. Between 1967 and 1985, there were a total of 18 races held at this circuit, which became one of the most exciting and well-loved tracks in F1 history. The circuit also hosted many F1 legends, including Jackie Stewart, Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost, and Niki Lauda.
By 1985, the South African Grand Prix was removed from the calendar after F1’s organisation due to increasing pressure and controversy from racing during apartheid. F1 later returned to Kyalami in 1992, with the final race being hosted and won by Alain Prost in 1993.
How Many South African Formula 1 Drivers Have There Been?
In F1 history, there have been a total of 25 South African drivers. That said, only 17 drivers managed to start a race. The remaining drivers may have been entered into a race weekend but never made it to the starting grid. This could be from either failing to qualify for the race or withdrawing due to injury or other circumstances.
While the list of drivers is quite extensive, most of them had limited success, at least in terms of what we’d consider successful in modern racing. Some only competed in an F1 race once, while others became legends and built their success on multiple podiums and race wins.
Top 5 South African F1 Drivers Who Made Their Mark
While many people only know the name of Jody Scheckter, there are a few other South African Formula 1 drivers that have made a name for themselves over the years. Let’s have a look at the top five drivers who have arguably had the biggest impact.
5. Peter de Klerk: The Man Behind the Alfa Special
Racing Years: 1963, 1965, 1969, 1970
Grand Prix Starts: 4
Four Grand Prix starts might seem like a modest number, but Peter de Klerk didn’t just show up to race. He was a mechanic, too, and helped build his own race car that they called the Alfa Special. He raced in this car in both the 1963 and 1965 South African Grand Prix. It was an impressive feat of engineering at the time, despite not earning him any points. But for a privately built car going against competitors with a lot more funding? It was impressive.
4. Dave Charlton: The King of the South African Grand Prix
Racing Years: 1965, 1967, 1968, 1970–1975
Grand Prix Starts: 14
Technically, Dave Charlton was born in the UK, but he was brought up in South Africa and is considered a local. Despite never winning a single F1 race, Charlton managed to win six consecutive South African Driver’s championships (a separate racing series in F1-level cars). Though he never scored any points in F1, he made himself known as one of the most consistent and talented drivers of his time and managed to drive for iconic teams like Lotus and McLaren.
3. Ian Scheckter: A Force in South African Racing
Racing Years: 1974–1977
Grand Prix Starts: 18
Many people know the last name for his brother Jody, but Ian Scheckter was a formidable racer in his own right. He started a total of 18 races, including a full season of F1 in 1977, giving him the third-highest number of Grand Prix starts among South Africa’s drivers. While he never scored a point in F1, he did win four South African Formula Atlantic championships between 1976 and 1979, which is no small feat.
2. Tony Maggs: South Africa’s First F1 Star
Racing Years: 1961–1965
Grand Prix Starts: 25
Podiums: 3
Before the Scheckter brothers, Dave Charlton, or any other South African driver graced the track, there was Tony Maggs. Born in Pretoria, Maggs became the first South African driver to ever start a Formula 1 World Championship race at the British Grand Prix in 1961. He is one of only two drivers who secured podium finishes, earning two second-places and one third-place finish. Among South African drivers, he remained one of the most accomplished of his era.
1. Jody Scheckter: South Africa’s Formula 1 World Champion
Racing Years: 1972–1980
Grand Prix Starts: 112
Podiums: 33
Race Wins: 10
There was never any debate about who the best South African F1 driver is. He raced for iconic teams like McLaren, Tyrell, and Wolf. More impressively, he raced two seasons with Ferrari in 1979 and 1980, adding to their legacy as one of the most successful F1 teams ever.
During his time in F1, he collected victories and podiums, including a home race win at Kyalami in 1975. Then 1979 came, which was by far his best season. He achieved three victories, six podiums, and enough points to beat his Ferrari teammate Gille Villeneuve to the World Drivers’ Championship that year.
He remains the one and only South African World Champion and race winner. His championship title would be Ferrari’s last one for 21 years until Michael Schumacher finally ended the wait in 2000. Yes, Jody Scheckter has his fair share of controversies, crashes, and drama, but he will go down as one of the best drivers in history.
Bet On Formula 1 With playTSOGO
While most South African F1 drivers don’t have a long list of impressive results to show for their time in the sport, that doesn’t tell the whole story. Many were racing in a very different era, with fewer opportunities, limited resources and a very different motorsport landscape. Yet, they still made their mark with what they had. And who’s to say we won’t see another local in F1 soon?
You can keep up to date with the changing F1 grid and start placing your bets with playTSOGO. We’ve got you covered, whether you’re wagering on qualifying or Sprint Races, and everything in between. So, what are you waiting for? Start betting on F1 today.
