{{short description|First race of the 1982 Formula One World Championship}} {{Use South African English|date=May 2012}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}} {{Infobox Grand Prix race report |Type = F1 |Country = South Africa |Flag_suffix = 1928 |Grand Prix = South African |Image = Kyalami 1961 - 1988 Layout.png |Official name = |Date = 23 January |Year = 1982 |Race_No = 1 |Season_No = 16 |Location = [[Kyalami]]<br />[[Transvaal Province]], South Africa |Course = Permanent racing facility |Course_mi = 2.550 |Course_km = 4.104 |Distance_laps = 77 |Distance_mi = 196.358 |Distance_km = 316.008 |Weather = Dry |Pole_Driver = [[René Arnoux]] |Pole_Team = [[Renault in Formula One|Renault]] |Pole_Time = 1:06.351 |Pole_Country = France |Fast_Driver = [[Alain Prost]] |Fast_Team = [[Renault in Formula One|Renault]] |Fast_Time = 1:08.278 |Fast_Lap = 49 |Fast_Country = France |First_Driver = [[Alain Prost]] |First_Team = [[Renault in Formula One|Renault]] |First_Country = France |Second_Driver = [[Carlos Reutemann]] |Second_Team = [[Williams Grand Prix Engineering|Williams]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] |Second_Country = Argentina |Third_Driver = [[René Arnoux]] |Third_Team = [[Renault in Formula One|Renault]] |Third_Country = France |Lapchart = {{F1Laps1982|RSA}} }} [[File:1982 South African Grand Prix, Reutemann Prost podium.jpg|thumb|Reutemann and Prost on the podium.]]
The '''1982 South African Grand Prix''' was a [[Formula One]] motor race held at [[Kyalami]] on 23 January 1982. It was the first race of the [[1982 Formula One World Championship]]. It was the 28th edition of the [[South African Grand Prix]] and the 16th time that the race had been held at Kyalami.
The prelude to the race was notable for a [[strike action|strike]] action by the [[Grand Prix Drivers' Association]], led by [[Niki Lauda]] and [[Didier Pironi]], in protest at the new [[FIA Super Licence|superlicence]] conditions imposed by [[Fédération Internationale du Sport Automobile|FISA]], which would have tied the drivers to a single team for up to three years. A late compromise was reached and the race went ahead. The drivers were subsequently fined between [[United States dollar|US$]]5,000 and US$10,000 and handed suspended race bans; however, the [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile|FIA]] Court of Appeal later reduced the penalties and criticised FISA's handling of the dispute.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2008/06/18/f1-drivers-to-strike-at-the-british-grand-prix-well-it-happened-in-1982/ |title=1982 South African Grand Prix flashback |publisher=F1 Fanatic |date=18 June 2008 |access-date=17 June 2012}}</ref>
[[Turbocharger|Turbocharged]] cars took the first six positions on the grid. Despite [[Alain Prost]] suffering a puncture while leading, he was able to recover (from over a lap behind) to win the race. Lauda, in his first race after two years out of F1, finished fourth. It was the final podium and points finish for [[Carlos Reutemann]], who retired from Formula One after the next race in Brazil. {{As of|2025}}, this is the most recent podium finish achieved by an Argentine driver and the last point finish for an Argentine driver until [[Franco Colapinto]] finished 8th and scored 4 points at the [[2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix]].<ref name="C+SC30">{{cite magazine |last=Fearnley |first=Paul |date=April 2012 |title=The Commodore 64, Compact Discs and F1 drivers on strike: welcome to 1982 |magazine=[[Classic & Sports Car]] |location=Teddington, Middlesex, UK |publisher=[[Haymarket Media Group]] |page=237 |issn=0263-3183}}</ref> It also was the last race held in January.
== Classification ==
=== Qualifying === {| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:95%;" |+ ! Pos ! {{Abbr|No.|Car number}} ! Driver ! Constructor ! Time ! Gap |- ! 1 | 16 | data-sort-value="arn" |{{flagicon|FRA}} [[René Arnoux]] | [[Renault in Formula One|Renault]] | 1:06.351 | |- ! 2 | 1 | data-sort-value="piq" |{{flagicon|BRA|1968}} [[Nelson Piquet]] | [[Brabham]]-[[BMW in Formula One|BMW]] | 1:06.625 | +0.274 |- ! 3 | 27 | data-sort-value="vil" |{{flagicon|CAN}} [[Gilles Villeneuve]] | [[Scuderia Ferrari|Ferrari]] | 1:07.106 | +0.755 |- ! 4 | 2 | data-sort-value="pat" |{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Riccardo Patrese]] | [[Brabham]]-[[BMW in Formula One|BMW]] | 1:07.398 | +1.047 |- ! 5 | 15 | data-sort-value="pro" |{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Alain Prost]] | [[Renault in Formula One|Renault]] | 1:08.133 | +1.782 |- ! 6 | 28 | data-sort-value="pir" |{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Didier Pironi]] | [[Scuderia Ferrari|Ferrari]] | 1:08.360 | +2.009 |- ! 7 | 6 | data-sort-value="ros" |{{flagicon|FIN}} [[Keke Rosberg]] | [[Williams Grand Prix Engineering|Williams]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] | 1:08.892 | +2.541 |- ! 8 | 5 | data-sort-value="reu" |{{flagicon|ARG}} [[Carlos Reutemann]] | [[Williams Grand Prix Engineering|Williams]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] | 1:09.306 | +2.955 |- ! 9 | 7 | data-sort-value="wat" |{{flagicon|GBR}} [[John Watson (racing driver)|John Watson]] | [[McLaren]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] | 1:09.736 | +3.385 |- ! 10 | 3 | data-sort-value="alb" |{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Michele Alboreto]] | [[Tyrrell Racing|Tyrrell]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] | 1:10.037 | +3.686 |- ! 11 | 26 | data-sort-value="laf" |{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Jacques Laffite]] | [[Equipe Ligier|Ligier]]-[[Equipe Matra Sports|Matra]] | 1:10.241 | +3.890 |- ! 12 | 10 | data-sort-value="sal" |{{flagicon|CHI}} [[Eliseo Salazar]] | [[ATS Wheels|ATS]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] | 1:10.624 | +4.273 |- ! 13 | 8 | data-sort-value="lau" |{{flagicon|AUT}} [[Niki Lauda]] | [[McLaren]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] | 1:10.681 | +4.330 |- ! 14 | 35 | data-sort-value="war" |{{flagicon|GBR}} [[Derek Warwick]] | [[Toleman]]-[[Hart Racing Engines|Hart]] | 1:10.685 | +4.334 |- ! 15 | 11 | data-sort-value="ang" |{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Elio de Angelis]] | [[Team Lotus|Lotus]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] | 1:10.685 | +4.334 |- ! 16 | 22 | data-sort-value="ces" |{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Andrea de Cesaris]] | [[Alfa Romeo in Formula One|Alfa Romeo]] | 1:10.952 | +4.601 |- ! 17 | 25 | data-sort-value="che" |{{flagicon|USA}} [[Eddie Cheever]] | [[Equipe Ligier|Ligier]]-[[Equipe Matra Sports|Matra]] | 1:11.005 | +4.654 |- ! 18 | 12 | data-sort-value="man" |{{flagicon|GBR}} [[Nigel Mansell]] | [[Team Lotus|Lotus]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] | 1:11.227 | +4.876 |- ! 19 | 23 | data-sort-value="gia" |{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Bruno Giacomelli]] | [[Alfa Romeo in Formula One|Alfa Romeo]] | 1:11.285 | +4.934 |- ! 20 | 9 | data-sort-value="win" |{{flagicon|FRG}} [[Manfred Winkelhock]] | [[ATS Wheels|ATS]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] | 1:11.808 | +5.457 |- ! 21 | 18 | data-sort-value="boe" |{{flagicon|BRA|1968}} [[Raul Boesel]] | [[March Engineering|March]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] | 1:12.077 | +5.726 |- ! 22 | 17 | data-sort-value="mas" |{{flagicon|FRG}} [[Jochen Mass]] | [[March Engineering|March]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] | 1:12.100 | +5.749 |- ! 23 | 4 | data-sort-value="bor" |{{flagicon|SWE}} [[Slim Borgudd]] | [[Tyrrell Racing|Tyrrell]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] | 1:12.366 | +6.015 |- ! 24 | 33 | data-sort-value="dal" |{{flagicon|IRL}} [[Derek Daly]] | [[Theodore Racing|Theodore]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] | 1:13.418 | +7.067 |- ! 25 | 20 | data-sort-value="ser" |{{flagicon|BRA|1968}} [[Chico Serra]] | [[Fittipaldi Automotive|Fittipaldi]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] | 1:13.467 | +7.116 |- ! 26 | 31 | data-sort-value="jar" |{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Jean-Pierre Jarier]] | [[Osella]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] | 1:13.834 | +7.483 |- ! data-sort-value="27" |{{abbr|DNQ|Did not qualify}} | 30 | data-sort-value="bal" |{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Mauro Baldi]] | [[Arrows Grand Prix International|Arrows]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] | 1:13.976 | +7.625 |- ! data-sort-value="28" |{{abbr|DNQ|Did not qualify}} | 32 | data-sort-value="pal" |{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Riccardo Paletti]] | [[Osella]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] | 1:15.504 | +9.153 |- ! data-sort-value="29" |{{abbr|DNQ|Did not qualify}} | 29 | data-sort-value="hen" |{{flagicon|GBR}} [[Brian Henton]] | [[Arrows Grand Prix International|Arrows]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] | 1:16.653 | +10.302 |- ! data-sort-value="30" |{{abbr|DNQ|Did not qualify}} | 36 | data-sort-value="fab" |{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Teo Fabi]] | [[Toleman]]-[[Hart Racing Engines|Hart]] | No time | |}
=== Race === {| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;" |- ! Pos !! No !! Driver !! Constructor !! Tyre !! Laps !! Time/Retired !! Grid !! Points |- ! 1 | 15 | {{flagicon|FRA}} '''[[Alain Prost]]''' | '''[[Renault in Formula One|Renault]]''' | {{Michelin}} | 77 | 1:32:08.401 | 5 | '''9''' |- ! 2 | 5 | {{flagicon|ARG}} '''[[Carlos Reutemann]]''' | '''[[Williams Grand Prix Engineering|Williams]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]''' | {{Goodyear}} | 77 | + 14.946 | 8 | '''6''' |- ! 3 | 16 | {{flagicon|FRA}} '''[[René Arnoux]]''' | '''[[Renault in Formula One|Renault]]''' | {{Michelin}} | 77 | + 27.900 | 1 | '''4''' |- ! 4 | 8 | {{flagicon|AUT}} '''[[Niki Lauda]]''' | '''[[McLaren]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]''' | {{Michelin}} | 77 | + 32.113 | 13 | '''3''' |- ! 5 | 6 | {{flagicon|FIN}} '''[[Keke Rosberg]]''' | '''[[Williams Grand Prix Engineering|Williams]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]''' | {{Goodyear}} | 77 | + 43.139 | 7 | '''2''' |- ! 6 | 7 | {{flagicon|GBR}} '''[[John Watson (racing driver)|John Watson]]''' | '''[[McLaren]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]''' | {{Michelin}} | 77 | + 50.993 | 9 | '''1''' |- ! 7 | 3 | {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Michele Alboreto]] | [[Tyrrell Racing|Tyrrell]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] | {{Goodyear}} | 76 | + 1 lap | 10 | |- ! 8 | 11 | {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Elio de Angelis]] | [[Team Lotus|Lotus]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] | {{Goodyear}} | 76 | + 1 lap | 15 | |- ! 9 | 10 | {{flagicon|CHI}} [[Eliseo Salazar]] | [[ATS Wheels|ATS]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] | {{Avon}} | 75 | + 2 laps | 12 | |- ! 10 | 9 | {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Manfred Winkelhock]] | [[ATS Wheels|ATS]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] | {{Avon}} | 75 | + 2 laps | 20 | |- ! 11 | 23 | {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Bruno Giacomelli]] | [[Alfa Romeo in Formula One|Alfa Romeo]] | {{Michelin}} | 74 | + 3 laps | 19 | |- ! 12 | 17 | {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Jochen Mass]] | [[March Engineering|March]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] | {{Pirelli}} | 74 | + 3 laps | 22 | |- ! 13 | 22 | {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Andrea de Cesaris]] | [[Alfa Romeo in Formula One|Alfa Romeo]] | {{Michelin}} | 73 | + 4 laps | 16 | |- ! 14 | 33 | {{flagicon|IRL}} [[Derek Daly]] | [[Theodore Racing|Theodore]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] | {{Avon}} | 73 | + 4 laps | 24 | |- ! 15 | 18 | {{flagicon|BRA|1968}} [[Raul Boesel]] | [[March Engineering|March]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] | {{Pirelli}} | 72 | + 5 laps | 21 | |- ! 16 | 4 | {{flagicon|SWE}} [[Slim Borgudd]] | [[Tyrrell Racing|Tyrrell]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] | {{Goodyear}} | 72 | + 5 laps | 23 | |- ! 17 | 20 | {{flagicon|BRA|1968}} [[Chico Serra]] | [[Fittipaldi Automotive|Fittipaldi]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] | {{Pirelli}} | 72 | + 5 laps | 25 | |- ! 18 | 28 | {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Didier Pironi]] | [[Scuderia Ferrari|Ferrari]] | {{Goodyear}} | 71 | + 6 laps | 6 | |- ! {{abbr|Ret|Retired}} | 26 | {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Jacques Laffite]] | [[Equipe Ligier|Ligier]]-[[Equipe Matra Sports|Matra]] | {{Michelin}} | 54 | Fuel system | 11 | |- ! {{abbr|Ret|Retired}} | 35 | {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Derek Warwick]] | [[Toleman]]-[[Hart Racing Engines|Hart]] | {{Pirelli}} | 43 | Accident | 14 | |- ! {{abbr|Ret|Retired}} | 2 | {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Riccardo Patrese]] | [[Brabham]]-[[BMW in Formula One|BMW]] | {{Goodyear}} | 18 | Turbo | 4 | |- ! {{abbr|Ret|Retired}} | 25 | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Eddie Cheever]] | [[Equipe Ligier|Ligier]]-[[Equipe Matra Sports|Matra]] | {{Michelin}} | 11 | Fuel system | 17 | |- ! {{abbr|Ret|Retired}} | 27 | {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Gilles Villeneuve]] | [[Scuderia Ferrari|Ferrari]] | {{Goodyear}} | 6 | Turbo | 3 | |- ! {{abbr|Ret|Retired}} | 1 | {{flagicon|BRA|1968}} [[Nelson Piquet]] | [[Brabham]]-[[BMW in Formula One|BMW]] | {{Goodyear}} | 3 | Spun off | 2 | |- ! {{abbr|Ret|Retired}} | 12 | {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Nigel Mansell]] | [[Team Lotus|Lotus]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] | {{Goodyear}} | 0 | Electrical | 18 | |- ! {{abbr|Ret|Retired}} | 31 | {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Jean-Pierre Jarier]] | [[Osella]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] | {{Pirelli}} | 0 | Collision | 26 | |- ! {{abbr|DNQ|Did not qualify}} | 30 | {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Mauro Baldi]] | [[Arrows Grand Prix International|Arrows]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] | {{Pirelli}} | | | | |- ! {{abbr|DNQ|Did not qualify}} | 32 | {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Riccardo Paletti]] | [[Osella]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] | {{Pirelli}} | | | | |- ! {{abbr|DNQ|Did not qualify}} | 29 | {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Brian Henton]] | [[Arrows Grand Prix International|Arrows]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] | {{Pirelli}} | | | | |- ! {{abbr|DNQ|Did not qualify}} | 36 | {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Teo Fabi]] | [[Toleman]]-[[Hart Racing Engines|Hart]] | {{Pirelli}} | | | | |- ! {{abbr|WD|Withdrawn}} | 14 | {{flagicon|COL}} [[Roberto Guerrero]] | [[Ensign Racing|Ensign]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] | {{Avon}} | | | | |- !colspan="9"|{{center|Source:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.formula1.com/results/season/1982/342/ |title=1982 South African Grand Prix |publisher=formula1.com |access-date=23 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104031416/http://www.formula1.com/results/season/1982/342/ |archive-date=4 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/races/1982-south-african-grand-prix|title=F1 World Championship – 1982 South African Grand Prix|work=MotorSportMagazine|access-date=7 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gparchive.com/formula-1/1982-south-african-grand-prix/|title=1982 South African Grand Prix – Race Results & History – GP Archive|website=GPArchive.com|date=23 January 1982 |access-date=1 November 2021}}</ref>}} |}
== Championship standings after the race == {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} ;Drivers' Championship standings {| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" |- ! Pos ! Driver ! Points |- | 1 | {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Alain Prost]] | style="text-align:right;"| 9 |- | 2 | {{flagicon|ARG}} [[Carlos Reutemann]] | style="text-align:right;"| 6 |- | 3 | {{flagicon|FRA}} [[René Arnoux]] | style="text-align:right;"| 4 |- | 4 | {{flagicon|AUT}} [[Niki Lauda]] | style="text-align:right;"| 3 |- | 5 | {{flagicon|FIN}} [[Keke Rosberg]] | style="text-align:right;"| 2 |- !colspan=4|Source:<ref name="Championship">{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/1982/afrique-du-sud/championnat.aspx|title=South Africa 1982 – Championship • STATS F1|website=statsf1.com|access-date=20 March 2019}}</ref> |} {{col-2}} ;Constructors' Championship standings {| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" |- ! Pos ! Constructor ! Points |- | 1 | {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Renault in Formula One|Renault]] | style="text-align:right;"| 13 |- | 2 | {{flagicon|UK}} [[Williams Grand Prix Engineering|Williams]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] | style="text-align:right;"| 8 |- | 3 | {{flagicon|UK}} [[McLaren]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] | style="text-align:right;"| 4 |- !colspan=4|Source:<ref name="Championship"/> |} {{col-end}}
*{{small|'''Note''': Only the top five positions are included for both sets of standings.}}
==References== {{reflist}}
{{F1 race report | Name_of_race = [[South African Grand Prix]] | Year_of_race = 1982 | Previous_race_in_season = [[1981 Caesars Palace Grand Prix]] | Next_race_in_season = [[1982 Brazilian Grand Prix]] | Previous_year's_race = [[1981 South African Grand Prix]] | Next_year's_race = [[1983 South African Grand Prix]]}} {{F1GP 80-89}}
[[Category:South African Grand Prix]] [[Category:1982 Formula One races|South African Grand Prix]] [[Category:1982 in South African motorsport|Grand Prix]] [[Category:January 1982 sports events in Africa|South African Grand Prix]] [[Category:Formula One controversies]]