South African Grand Prix 1985 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Nigel Mansell claimed back-to-back victories at Kyalami, leading home Keke Rosberg for a dominant Williams one-two finish that confirmed the team's rapid development with Honda power. The British driver controlled the race at the high-altitude South African circuit, where the thinner air amplified power advantages and rewarded Honda's turbo development. Mansell's consecutive wins demonstrated he had found his form at precisely the moment Williams's FW10 became genuinely competitive.

Rosberg's second place marked a strong finish to his Williams career before moving to McLaren for 1986, while Prost secured third to add to his championship points total. The Williams domination showcased the Honda partnership's potential and previewed the overwhelming superiority they would achieve in 1986 and 1987. The race highlighted how quickly Formula 1's competitive order could shift when technical development converged with driver talent, as Williams transformed from mid-grid strugglers to frontrunners in a single season. Mansell's twin victories established him as a genuine contender and set up his 1986 championship challenge.