Formula 1 historical archive

Nigel Mansell won the 1985 South African Grand Prix

Nigel Mansell won the 1985 South African Grand Prix for Williams, ahead of Keke Rosberg and Alain Prost at Kyalami Racing Circuit.

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

Race recap

Winner
Nigel Mansell
Team
Williams
Top listed
Nigel Mansell, Keke Rosberg, and Alain Prost
Race date
October 19, 1985
Pole
Nigel Mansell
Fastest lap
Keke Rosberg
Classified drivers
21
Circuit
Kyalami Racing Circuit

The decisive result

Nigel Mansell finished first for Williams. Keke Rosberg is listed 2 for Williams, with Alain Prost 3 for McLaren.

Grid to finish

Stefan Johansson from P16 to P4 (+12), Martin Brundle from P17 to P7 (+10), and Alain Prost from P9 to P3 (+6) recorded the largest positive grid-to-finish changes in the classification. Nigel Mansell started from the listed P1 grid position.

Status and fastest lap

The classification lists 6 Engine, 4 +1 lap, 2 Collision, 2 Finished, and 2 Turbo. Keke Rosberg holds the fastest-lap entry at 1:08.149 on lap 74. 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
1Nigel MansellWilliams1:28:22.8669
2Keke RosbergWilliams1:28:30.4386
3Alain ProstMcLaren+1 lap4
4Stefan JohanssonFerrari+1 lap3
5Gerhard BergerArrows+1 lap2
6Thierry BoutsenArrows+1 lap1
7Martin BrundleTyrrell+2 laps0
DNFElio de AngelisTeam LotusEngine0
DNFPierluigi MartiniMinardiRadiator0
DNFNiki LaudaMcLarenTurbo0
DNFPhilippe StreiffTyrrellAccident0
DNFAyrton SennaTeam LotusEngine0
DNFMichele AlboretoFerrariTurbo0
DNFNelson PiquetBrabhamEngine0
DNFPiercarlo GhinzaniTolemanEngine0
DNFTeo FabiTolemanEngine0
DNFMarc SurerBrabhamEngine0
DNFHuub RothengatterOsellaElectrical0
DNFRiccardo PatreseAlfa RomeoCollision0
DNFEddie CheeverAlfa RomeoCollision0