1972 South African Grand Prix
| Race details | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Race 2 of 12 in the 1972 Formula One season | |||
The Kyalami Circuit (1967-1985)
|
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| Date | 4 March 1972 | ||
| Official name | XVIII South African Grand Prix | ||
| Location | Kyalami, Midrand, Gauteng, South Africa | ||
| Course | Permanent racing facility | ||
| Course length | 4.104 km (2.550 mi) | ||
| Distance | 79 laps, 324.216 km (201.458 mi) | ||
| Weather | Sunny, Hot, Dry | ||
| Pole position | |||
| Driver | Tyrrell-Ford | ||
| Time | 1:17.0 | ||
| Fastest lap | |||
| Driver |
 Mike Hailwood
|
Surtees-Ford | |
| Time | 1:18.9 | ||
| Podium | |||
| First | McLaren-Ford | ||
| Second | Lotus-Ford | ||
| Third | McLaren-Ford | ||
The 1972 South African Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at Kyalami on 4 March 1972, six weeks after the opening round of the 1972 season. The 79-lap race was won by McLaren driver Denny Hulme after he started from fifth position. Emerson Fittipaldi finished second for the Lotus team and McLaren driver Peter Revson came in third.
A total of 27 F1 cars were entered for this event. Although there was more than a month between the Argentine Grand Prix and South Africa, most cars were transported direct to Kyalami from Buenos Aires. There were few changes in the entry.
Having missed the trip to Argentina due to a clashing Formula 5000 race, Mike Hailwood returned to Team Surtees. Jean-Pierre Beltoise also missed Buenos Aires, due to legal problems following an accident that had claimed the life of Ignazio Giunti in January 1971. Team Williams ran a second March-Cosworth for rising star Carlos Pace alongside their regular driver, Henri Pescarolo. A new team arrived in South Africa, the Team Eifelland Caravans outfit making its first appearance with Rolf Stommelen down to drive. As usual for Kyalami, the field was bolstered by some local cars; Dave Charlton in a Lucky Strike sponsored Lotus 72D, and pair of cars from Team Gunston for John Love (Surtees TS9) and Willie Ferguson (Brabham BT33).
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