1962 South African Grand Prix

Championship standings

Hill leads by nine points over Clark with nine points available. Clark must win — and Hill must finish second at best — for the title to go to a countback. Under the championship’s best-five-results rule, that scenario would eliminate one of Hill’s results and produce a tie on points, which Clark would win on the countback of four victories to Hill’s three.

Previous race

Clark won at Watkins Glen, his third victory of the season, with Hill finishing nine seconds behind. Jack Brabham took fourth in the BT3 to score the first championship points ever credited to a car bearing his own name. Ferrari did not travel to America for the third consecutive race.

Entrants

The South African Grand Prix makes its World Championship debut. Local entries fill much of the grid, with debut appearances for drivers Neville Lederle, Ernie Pieterse, Doug Serrurier, Bruce Johnstone, Syd van der Vyver, John Love, Mike Harris, Gary Hocking, and Sam Tingle. LDS makes the first appearance of a South African constructor in the World Championship.

Milestones

This is the 100th Formula One World Championship Grand Prix, excluding the Indianapolis 500 races held between 1950 and 1960.