Kyalami
High-altitude South African classic where thin Highveld air, a flat-out main straight and the long Crowthorne corner produced raw, high-speed racing.
Circuit at a glance
- Years active
- 1967–1985, 1992–1993
- F1 races
- 23
- Length
- 4.104 km
- Turns
- 13
History and character
Sitting at 1,500 m above sea level on the outskirts of Johannesburg, Kyalami's altitude robbed naturally aspirated engines of power and forced unique aerodynamic setups. Its long uphill main straight ended in the fearsome Crowthorne corner, and the original layout flowed naturally through fast right-handers that rewarded commitment.
Why it left the calendar
Political pressure during the anti-apartheid era forced the South African Grand Prix off the calendar more than once, and a heavily modified shorter layout used after 1987 never recaptured the original's character. Kyalami still operates as a national circuit and has been periodically rumoured as a candidate for an F1 return.
Iconic moment
Nigel Mansell's 1992 dominance in the all-conquering Williams FW14B, leading every lap from pole on Kyalami's final F1 appearance.
Notable Grand Prix winners
- Jim Clark
- Jackie Stewart
- Niki Lauda
- Alain Prost
- Nigel Mansell