Formula 1 historical archive

Niki Lauda won the 1984 South African Grand Prix

Niki Lauda won the 1984 South African Grand Prix for McLaren, ahead of Alain Prost and Derek Warwick at Kyalami Racing Circuit.

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

Race recap

Winner
Niki Lauda
Team
McLaren
Top listed
Niki Lauda, Alain Prost, and Derek Warwick
Race date
April 7, 1984
Pole
Nelson Piquet
Fastest lap
Patrick Tambay
Classified drivers
27
Circuit
Kyalami Racing Circuit

The decisive result

Niki Lauda finished first for McLaren. Alain Prost is listed 2 for McLaren, with Derek Warwick 3 for Renault.

Grid to finish

Thierry Boutsen from P24 to P9 (+15), Riccardo Patrese from P18 to P4 (+14), and Marc Surer from P23 to P10 (+13) recorded the largest positive grid-to-finish changes in the classification. Nelson Piquet started from the listed P1 grid position.

Status and fastest lap

The classification lists 5 +4 laps, 3 Turbo, 2 +2 laps, 2 Engine, and 2 Finished. Patrick Tambay holds the fastest-lap entry at 1:08.877 on lap 64. 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 LaudaMcLaren1:29:23.4309
2Alain ProstMcLaren1:30:29.3806
3Derek WarwickRenault+1 lap4
4Riccardo PatreseAlfa Romeo+2 laps3
5Andrea de CesarisLigier+2 laps2
6Ayrton SennaToleman+3 laps1
7Elio de AngelisTeam Lotus+4 laps0
8Mauro BaldiSpirit+4 laps0
9Thierry BoutsenArrows+4 laps0
10Marc SurerArrows+4 laps0
11François HesnaultLigier+4 laps0
12Michele AlboretoFerrariIgnition0
DNFPatrick TambayRenaultOut of fuel0
DNFJacques LaffiteWilliamsTransmission0
DNFManfred WinkelhockATS WheelsEngine0
DNFKeke RosbergWilliamsWheel0
DNFNigel MansellTeam LotusTurbo0
DNFRené ArnouxFerrariInjection0
DNFNelson PiquetBrabhamTurbo0
DNFJohnny CecottoTolemanTyre0