Date 1 January 1965 | Course length 3.920 km (2.436 mi) | |
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Official name XI South African Grand Prix Location Prince George Circuit
East London, South Africa Course Permanent racing facility Distance 85 laps, 333.175 km (207.025 mi) | ||
The 1965 South African Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at East London on 1 January 1965. It was the first race of the 1965 Formula One season. The 85-lap race was won by Lotus driver Jim Clark after he started from pole position. John Surtees finished second for the Ferrari team and BRM driver Graham Hill came in third. This was the debut race of the future world champion Jackie Stewart.
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Race report
Jim Clark celebrated Hogmanay by dominating the race, leading from pole and breaking the 100 mph barrier, winning by half a minute from Graham Hill and John Surtees and even had time to complete an extra lap after the chequered flag was waved a lap too early. Mike Spence, Bruce McLaren and débutant Jackie Stewart completed the points positions. Goodyear made their Grand Prix début with the Brabham team, challenging the Dunlop monopoly.