Formula 1 historical archive

Niki Lauda won the 1976 South African Grand Prix

Niki Lauda won the 1976 South African Grand Prix for Ferrari, ahead of James Hunt and Jochen Mass at Kyalami Racing Circuit.

Browse the full classification, related season, driver, team, circuit, and championship history.

Race recap

Winner
Niki Lauda
Team
Ferrari
Top listed
Niki Lauda, James Hunt, and Jochen Mass
Race date
March 6, 1976
Pole
James Hunt
Fastest lap
Niki Lauda
Classified drivers
25
Circuit
Kyalami Racing Circuit

The decisive result

Niki Lauda finished first for Ferrari. James Hunt is listed 2 for McLaren, with Jochen Mass 3 for McLaren.

Grid to finish

Bob Evans from P23 to P10 (+13), Brett Lunger from P20 to P11 (+9), and Michel Leclère from P22 to P13 (+9) recorded the largest positive grid-to-finish changes in the classification. James Hunt started from the listed P1 grid position.

Status and fastest lap

The classification lists 7 +1 lap, 4 Finished, 3 +2 laps, 3 Engine, and 2 Accident. Niki Lauda holds the fastest-lap entry at 1:17.970 on lap 6. It records the result without speculating about incidents or strategy.

This summary sticks to the classification and does not speculate about incidents, strategy, weather, or causes. Source: F1DB (CC BY 4.0) · updated Jul 26, 2026.

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Race classification
PosDriverConstructorTime / statusPoints
1Niki LaudaFerrari1:42:18.4009
2James HuntMcLaren1:42:19.7006
3Jochen MassMcLaren1:43:04.3004
4Jody ScheckterTyrrell1:43:26.8003
5John WatsonPenske+1 lap2
6Mario AndrettiParnelli+1 lap1
7Tom PryceShadow+1 lap0
8Vittorio BrambillaMarch+1 lap0
9Patrick DepaillerTyrrell+1 lap0
10Bob EvansTeam Lotus+1 lap0
11Brett LungerSurtees+1 lap0
12Hans-Joachim StuckMarch+2 laps0
13Michel LeclèreWolf-Williams+2 laps0
14Chris AmonEnsign+2 laps0
15Harald ErtlHesketh+4 laps0
16Jacky IckxWolf-Williams+5 laps0
17Emerson FittipaldiFittipaldiEngine0
DNFClay RegazzoniFerrariEngine0
DNFJacques LaffiteLigierEngine0
DNFJean-Pierre JarierShadowRadiator0