Berger: Schumacher cannot compete with Vettel and Rosberg

In 2012, Michael Schumacher will begin his nineteenth season in Formula One, the third since his comeback to competition with Mercedes. After a clearly lackluster 2010 season and a 2011 season improved by some standout performances in places like Belgium and Italy, the Kaiser approaches what could be his last Formula One season at the age of 43, which is considered honorable in today’s F1.

The German’s contract indeed ends at the end of this year 2012, and Michael Schumacher is still holding off on making a decision regarding a possible extension in 2013: “I don’t think he will extend his contract [beyond 2012],” assures Gerhard Berger according to various German newspapers. “At some point, he will get tired. He has no chance against Rosberg; he will have to admit that at over 40 years old, he can no longer beat young drivers of Rosberg’s caliber.”

But his teammate is not the only obstacle standing in the way of the Red Baron – who has now turned Grey. Indeed, no fewer than five other world champions will take the start in Melbourne, among them someone who is, according to some, the rightful heir to Michael Schumacher: Sebastian Vettel, the first contender for a new hegemonic reign in F1 with Red Bull. “As long as they have Adrian Newey and his technical team, Red Bull will have either the fastest car or the second fastest, and with Vettel in one of the cars, with the confidence and experience he now possesses, he can make a difference even with the second best car,” claims the former Austrian driver.