Watch: Ferrari wins Constructors’ Championship despite double DNF at Kyalami | 1983 South African GP. On 15th October 1983, Ferrari took the Constructors’ World Championship title.

On 15th October 1983, Scuderia Ferrari took the Constructors’ World Championship title, the eighth in its history. The winner’s crown came at the end of the South African Grand Prix, even though the cars of Rene Arnoux and Patrick Tambay both had to retire with problems on the electronic engine management. Fortunately, the Scuderia’s lead over Renault was enough, especially as the French team also had problems in Kyalami.

The two no scores, the second time this had happened after the European Grand Prix at Brands Hatch, meant any chance Rene Arnoux had of taking the Drivers’ title evaporated. The Frenchman was second, just two points down on Prost after Monza, but was unable to do better than ninth in England and so he arrived in Kyalami with the slimmest of chances. Pole for Tambay and his fourth in qualifying might have got the hopes up, but reliability problems with the 126 C3 meant it was not to be.

However, the season did deliver the title that was maybe closer to Enzo Ferrari’s heart and a tally of four wins (three for Arnoux, one for Tambay,) 12 podium finishes, two pole positions and five fastest race laps.