South African Grand Prix 1979 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Gilles Villeneuve announced Ferrari's arrival as championship contenders with a spectacular victory at the South African Grand Prix, leading home new teammate Jody Scheckter for the Scuderia's first one-two finish of the season. Villeneuve drove with his characteristic fearless brilliance at Kyalami's high-altitude circuit, demonstrating the Ferrari 312T4's competitiveness when both car and driver functioned perfectly. The victory ended Ligier's winning streak and established Ferrari as the team most likely to challenge for both championships.

Scheckter's solid second place in his first race for Ferrari demonstrated the South African's tactical intelligence and team-first mentality. The former Wolf driver had joined the Scuderia specifically to mount a championship challenge, accepting that Villeneuve's raw speed might require careful team management. Jean-Pierre Jarier claimed third for Tyrrell, providing a welcome result for the French veteran. Both Ligier drivers encountered problems, allowing Ferrari to capitalize and serve notice of their championship intentions.

The Ferrari one-two at Kyalami marked the beginning of what would become a perfectly executed championship campaign. Scheckter's calculated approach would prove the perfect complement to Villeneuve's spectacular speed, with the partnership delivering results through combination rather than internal conflict. Mauro Forghieri's 312T4 design demonstrated Ferrari had successfully adapted to ground effect technology, combining the Scuderia's traditional strengths with the new aerodynamic requirements. The South African result shifted championship momentum away from Ligier and toward Ferrari.