| 1979 South African Grand Prix | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Race 3 of 15 in the 1979 Formula One season | |||
 | |||
| Race details | |||
| Date | 3 March 1979 | ||
| Official name | XXV Simba Grand Prix of South Africa | ||
| Location |
Kyalami Transvaal Province, South Africa | ||
| Course | Permanent racing facility | ||
| Course length | 4.104 km (2.550 miles) | ||
| Distance | 78 laps, 320.112 km (198.908 miles) | ||
| Weather | Wet | ||
| Pole position | |||
| Driver | Renault | ||
| Time | 1:11.80 | ||
| Fastest lap | |||
| Driver |
 Gilles Villeneuve | Ferrari | |
| Time | 1:14.412 on lap 23 | ||
| Podium | |||
| First | Ferrari | ||
| Second | Ferrari | ||
| Third | Tyrrell-Ford | ||
|
Lap leaders | |||
The 1979 South African Grand Prix (formally the XXV Simba Grand Prix of South Africa) was a Formula One motor race held on 3 March 1979 at Kyalami. The race, contested over 78 laps, was the third race of the 1979 Formula One season and was won by Gilles Villeneuve, driving a Ferrari. Teammate and local driver Jody Scheckter finished second, while Jean-Pierre Jarier finished third in a Tyrrell-Ford.