Berger judges Vettel, Hamilton, Alonso and Mercedes
While Ross Brawn had announced his desire to secure titles for Mercedes GP in the short term after acquiring the 2009 world champion team, Brawn GP, the results have not lived up to expectations, as former Ferrari driver Gerhard Berger reminds us.
Former Ferrari driver Gerhard Berger believes it’s time for Mercedes GP to start delivering on its promises in Formula 1, after failing to win any race since the acquisition of Brawn GP at the beginning of 2010.
The former F1 driver explains that he is tired of the explanations provided by Mercedes GP for their failure to achieve a victory or to get involved in the title fight as was expected.
In Belgium, it was frustrating to see [Nico] Rosberg make a hell of a start and have perfect control, only to lose places like a rookie driver after a few laps, he tells Autosport. Indeed, Nico Rosberg started far from the lead of the race before moving to the front after Eau Rouge for a few laps, before Sebastian Vettel regained the lead thanks to the DRS.
« All the explanations and excuses from Mercedes have tired me. It’s high time that a top-tier manufacturer provides their drivers with a car capable of winning. The engine is widely regarded as the best in the paddock. Now, it’s their turn to deliver the rest. »
As the former Ferrari driver says, the Mercedes engine is widely regarded as the best in the paddock, with Red Bull Racing even showing interest in it for a time before having their request denied by McLaren, who did not want one of its two main opponents equipped with the same engine, providing a clear advantage at certain times. Even though this no longer seems as relevant, with lower consumption allowing better use of the blown diffuser.
Berger also thinks that critics should back off from Mercedes GP driver Michael Schumacher, considering that he believes the seven-time world champion is getting everything he wants from his return to F1, even if the results are not as good as hoped.
« First of all, I must say that I am annoyed by the expert advice telling him he should retire. He has so much fun racing, and with all his qualities, why shouldn’t he go racing and have fun? He just combines professionalism and amusement. »
As the seven-time world champion himself said, the pleasure of taking part in the race is still intact, and his performances, even if he doesn’t dominate Nico Rosberg, are far from disastrous, especially in the rain.
« After all his successes, he deserves it. The market has its own rules. As long as someone gives him a car, he can do it »
Gerhard Berger also thinks he remains one of the best drivers in the discipline, despite a difficult year that saw the Briton involved in a number of on-track incidents.
« Let me make this clear, I would like to have him as my number 1 if I had a team » he states, « together with Seb[Vettel], but maybe not, because it might not work and cause a disaster. »
From my point of view, Vettel, Alonso, and Hamilton are the 3 best drivers here. Vettel is having a perfect season, Alonso suffers from a few minor errors but doesn’t have a car at the level of Seb’s. Lewis is the best in terms of overtaking, but with a certain risk. Therefore, it’s usually 50% success or collision. Of course, Lewis is not to blame for every accident, but he is often involved. And it doesn’t create a good image if you’re always there when something goes wrong.
Gerhard Berger therefore believes that although Lewis Hamilton is often involved in accidents, the McLaren driver has not lost any of his skill, with the 2008 world champion being forced to take more risks to keep up with his main rival, Sebastian Vettel, who is dominating the championship ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso.
