Formula 1 historical archive

René Arnoux won the 1980 South African Grand Prix

René Arnoux won the 1980 South African Grand Prix for Renault, ahead of Jacques Laffite and Didier Pironi at Kyalami Racing Circuit.

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

Race recap

Winner
René Arnoux
Team
Renault
Top listed
René Arnoux, Jacques Laffite, and Didier Pironi
Race date
March 1, 1980
Pole
Jean-Pierre Jabouille
Fastest lap
René Arnoux
Classified drivers
28
Circuit
Kyalami Racing Circuit

The decisive result

René Arnoux finished first for Renault. Jacques Laffite is listed 2 for Ligier, with Didier Pironi 3 for Ligier.

Grid to finish

Jochen Mass from P19 to P6 (+13), Clay Regazzoni from P20 to P9 (+11), and Geoff Lees from P24 to P13 (+11) recorded the largest positive grid-to-finish changes in the classification. Jean-Pierre Jabouille started from the listed P1 grid position.

Status and fastest lap

The classification lists 6 +1 lap, 4 Finished, 3 Accident, 3 Spun off, and 2 +2 laps. René Arnoux holds the fastest-lap entry at 1:13.150 on lap 51. 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
1René ArnouxRenault1:36:52.5409
2Jacques LaffiteLigier1:37:26.6106
3Didier PironiLigier1:37:45.0304
4Nelson PiquetBrabham1:37:53.5603
5Carlos ReutemannWilliams+1 lap2
6Jochen MassArrows+1 lap1
7Jean-Pierre JarierTyrrell+1 lap0
8Emerson FittipaldiFittipaldi+1 lap0
9Clay RegazzoniEnsign+1 lap0
10Ricardo ZuninoBrabham+1 lap0
11John WatsonMcLaren+2 laps0
12Mario AndrettiTeam Lotus+2 laps0
13Geoff LeesShadowSuspension0
DNFBruno GiacomelliAlfa RomeoEngine0
DNFJean-Pierre JabouilleRenaultPuncture0
DNFDerek DalyTyrrellPuncture0
DNFKeke RosbergFittipaldiAccident0
NCPatrick DepaillerAlfa Romeo+25 laps0
DNFAlan JonesWilliamsGearbox0
DNFGilles VilleneuveFerrariTransmission0