The South African GP, ​​the race during the apartheid era

When politics arrives in the paddock Formula 1. In the 80s, the South African Grand Prix was a well-established race in the world championship.

A silence hangs over the situation in the country. The federation looks down at the political context. It must be said that very little information on apartheid comes out of the country and this race is good publicity for Formula 1 on the African continent.

But the 1985 edition was too much for public opinion and for certain players in Formula 1. The French teams Renault and Ligier boycott the race. If some drivers do not want to participate, they are often forced to do so. This is the case of Niki Lauda, ​​one of the first to denounce the situation.

“I think this Grand Prix is ​​being used as a simple advertising campaign by the people who run this country. We shouldn't be used for that, nor should sport. I had decided to boycott the test, but McLaren decided to come. »

The Austrian pilot then criticizes the hypocrisy of the federation. “Mr Balestre clearly said that the FIA ​​and FISA were for respecting Human Rights. I have never heard such stupid reasoning, we cannot be for respecting Human Rights and come to this country where they are violated like nowhere in the world. »

That year marked a turning point, since it would be the last with a South African Grand Prix, until 1992 and the end of the apartheid regime. International sanctions will in fact target the country from 1986.

On the track, the South African Grand Prix offered us its share of memorable races, notably in 1974 with the famous duel between Nicky Lauda and James Hunt or the 100% French podium during the victory ofArnoux in 1980, with Jacques Lafitte and Didier Pironi on Ligier.

We can also cite the two races won by Nigel Mansell, the first during the 1985 edition just before the international sanctions, then during the resumption of the GP in South Africa seven years later.

If there has been no Grand Prix in Africa for several seasons, the desire to organize a race for F1 there is increasingly felt: Africa remains to this day the only place where the world championship Formula 1 does not run.

“It’s a place we really want to race in, it’s a priority. » said Chloe Targett-Adams, head of F1 promotion, recently. So why not South Africa? The circuit is ready, but given the current health situation, the debate is likely to last.