1983 South African Grand Prix
The Grand Prix of South Africa 1983 took place in 15th and last race of the Formula 1 1983 season at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit on October 15.
- 3.1 qualifying
- 3.2 race
- 4.1 Drivers' Championship
- 4.2 Constructors' Championship
Reports
Background
For the first time since 1963, the Grand Prix of South Africa was formed again the conclusion of a season.
Alain Prost was before the final race in the championship standings, two points ahead of Nelson Piquet and eight points ahead of René Arnoux. Thus, these three pilots had the chance to win the World Cup.
For Williams, it was decided to equip both a team driver with the new FW09, which was in the testing phase for several weeks. The car had a Honda turbo engine. Long all the teams had become aware that the default used in previous years V8 naturally aspirated engines from Ford -Cosworth against the turbo - units now often used were no longer competitive.
The teams Theodore and Spirit waived participation in the season finale. Since the number of participants thereby reduced to just 26 riders, all pilots present were able to qualify for one of the 26 starting places.
Training
While Patrick Tambay completed the fastest in practice, remained his Ferrari team-mate Rene Arnoux are due to technical problems at the edge of the track. When he pushed the 126C3 with marshals back on the asphalt, the car ran over his foot. However, he qualified shortly thereafter for the fourth place, behind the two pilots Nelson Piquet Brabham and Riccardo Patrese. Alain Prost finished fifth ahead of Keke Rosberg in the new Williams.
Race
Piquet went immediately lead and gave up his teammate Patrese within a short time a considerable advantage over the rest of the field. Tambay, who initially followed in third place, was overtaken in the second round of Andrea de Cesaris and Alain Prost.
Niki Lauda had caught up from twelfth place on the grid quickly, took over in the 18th round in third place of Prost.
In the 28th round Piquet made a pit stop to perform for refueling, without losing the lead. As Lauda little later also was heading the box, Prost came briefly back to third place, but retired on lap 35 due to a damage to the turbocharger. Since Arnoux was also already been eliminated at this time due to an engine failure, just could not exert active influence on winning the world title Piquet. He had only reached the fourth place to become world champion. In a worse outcome or even failure Piquet Prost would be the overall winner. Aware Piquet slowed his journey to save his car. He took it into account that Patrese and Lauda overtook him. After Lauda was excreted in the 72nd round, overtook de Cesaris second placed Piquet, who eventually finished third and thus ensured his second world title after 1981.
A few days after the race, Renault announced the separation of Alain Prost. One of the reasons for this is probably the discontent of the team have been above that of all the rival BMW the first world champion with turbo engine in Formula 1 history presented, although Renault had introduced this technique in Grand Prix racing in 1977. Prost, who led the championship standings long, however, had made several errors towards the end of the year, it was given the blame.
Message list
Classifications
Qualifying
Race
WM stands after the race
The first six of the race were 9, 6, 4, 3, 2 and 1 point (s).