|
| Date | Saturday 3 March 1979 |
|---|
| Start time | 14:00 |
|---|
| Event |  South African GP |
|---|
| Circuit | Kyalami |
|---|
| Event Format | Race of 78 laps |
|---|
| Championship | World Championship |
|---|
| Race number | #3 of 15 in 1979
#316 (of all time) |
|---|
|
| Laps | 78 |
|---|
| Circuit Perimeter | 4104 m |
|---|
| Race Distance | 4104 × 78 = 320.112 km |
|---|
| Grid Format | 2-2-2-2 |
|---|
| Pole Position | Right |
|---|
| First Corner | Right |
|---|
| Track Direction | Clockwise |
|---|
|
| Weather | Overcast, Rain |
|---|
|
| Entries | 26 |
|---|
| Qualifiers | 24 |
|---|
| Finishers | 13 |
|---|
| Debutants |
|
|---|
| Milestones | Equipe Renault Elf – 1st Pole Position (Entrant)
Renault – 1st Pole Position (Engine Manufacturer)
 Jean-Pierre Jabouille – 1st Pole Position (Driver)
Renault – 1st Pole Position (Car Manufacturer)
 Williams – 50th Race Entry (Car Manufacturer)
|
|---|
| Records Broken |
None
|
|---|
| Records Extended |
1. Most Podium Finishes –  Ferrari (258),
2. Most Drivers' Championship Points Scores – Ferrari (390),
3. Most Retirements – Lotus (352),
4. Most Constructors' Championship Points Scores – Ferrari (258),
5. Most Race Wins – Ferrari (75),
6. Most 2nd Place Finishes – Ferrari (100),
7. Most 7th Place Finishes – Brabham (30),
8. Most Fastest Laps – Ferrari (86),
9. Most Races Led – Ferrari (185),
10. Most Laps Led – Ferrari (5161),
11. Most Race Entries – Lotus (829),
12. Most Failures to Qualify – Arturo Merzario (15),
13. Most 2nd Place Qualifications – Ferrari (86),
14. Most 3rd Place Qualifications – Ferrari (76),
15. Most 14th Place Qualifications – John Watson (11)
|
|---|
|
