| abstract | - The 1963 South African Grand Prix was the tenth and final round of the 1963 FIA Formula One World Championship, staged at the Prince George Circuit in East London, South Africa. Officially known as the X South African Grand Prix, the race would be remembered for the performance of Jim Clark, who arrived in South Africa with the chance of setting a new record for race wins in a single season having already been declared as World Champion. The Scot claimed pole in his search for the record, although he would be beaten off the line by Jack Brabham after the Australian put together a perfect start. Yet, by the end of the lap, both Clark and John Surtees had forced their way past the Brabham-Climax, with the two now scrapping for the lead. Trevor Taylor also made a strong start in the second Team Lotus machine to run in fourth, battling with Brabham and Dan Gurney in the early stages. Clark was quick to drop Surtees, and soon the scarlet car would be harassed by the two Brabhams once they had dealt with Taylor. Both Gurney and Brabham made their way past, although the latter would develop an engine problem and fall to the back of the field. Surtees ran in third for a time before succumbing to an engine failure, promoting Graham Hill into third. Yet, at the very front of the field, Clark proved untouchable once again as he led every lap to set a new record of seven wins in a season. Gurney claimed second and denied Clark a record fifth Grand Chelem by setting the fastest lap, while Hill enjoyed a quiet race to third. Bruce McLaren, Lorenzo Bandini and Jo Bonnier completed the scorers with only one major change in the Championship standings.
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