Sakhir (dpa) – Former Formula 1 driver Gerhard Berger believes Sebastian Vettel can still be in the top motorsport class for many years to come.
On the fringes of the Bahrain Grand Prix, the Austrian cited two-time world champion Fernando Alonso as an example. The Spaniard still drives for Alpine at the age of 40. At Vettel it was a “question of motivation,” said Berger.
Aston Martin driver Vettel is 34 years old but is missing in Bahrain because of a positive corona test. When you get older, you “compensate for an incredible amount with experience”, remarked the DTM boss. “Alonso is a good example,” said Berger and added with a view to Vettel: “There’s still a little bit if he wants to.”
Vettel switched from Ferrari to Aston Martin for the 2021 season. The Heppenheimer signed a contract for “2021 and beyond”. Vettel himself wants to be able to fight for podium places again with the English factory team.
Berger has confidence in Mick Schumacher in the improved Haas this year. “It should definitely be the next step. I think it’s not bad for Mick from a sporting point of view that (Kevin) Magnussen is coming because Magnussen is a well-known figure and as a youngster you have to beat him,” said the 62-year-old. However, distance from the Danish team-mate is “not a sure-fire success, but that’s the next step he has to try.” Berger keeps his fingers crossed for Schumacher.