[ad_1]
ran.de: Mr Berger, after it was just a rumor for a long time, it is now fixed: Sebastian Vettel will remain in Formula 1 next season and will switch to Racing Point and therefore drive the Aston Martin from 2021. How do you rate Vettel’s decision?
Gerhard Berger: I think in the end it was Sebastian’s big decision whether he really wanted to keep racing or not. Now he has decided to stay in Formula 1. I can understand it and understand it absolutely. For Sebastian, it just had to be a racing team that lived up to the image of a four-time world champion. In my opinion, there were only Mercedes, Red Bull or, as they will be called from next season, Aston Martin. In Mercedes and Red Bull the door was closed and the English stayed. I think the Vettel / Aston Martin combination fits in very well with the whole tradition of this brand. It will be a big but difficult task for Sebastian. But: he can finally win races with Aston Martin again. And from my point of view that is the minimum for a rider like Sebastian Vettel.
ran.de: How does Racing Point compare to Vettel’s previous Ferrari team? How competitive do you think the Aston Martin is?
Berger: In the near future, I think Aston Martin will be significantly more competitive than Ferrari. In my opinion, Italians will remain at the bottom for some time. Especially since Aston Martin already drives a Mercedes engine and the close relationship with Toto Wolff can only be an advantage in the future. You can already see this season that like Racing Point they always aim for the podium. At Monza, for example, Lance Stroll was third last time. Sebastian Vettel will get much more out of the car and will aim for the podium here and there. You probably won’t become a series winner with Aston Martin, but you can certainly win a race or two.
ran.de: The Heppenheimer is ambitious and wants to compete again for the world championship title. To what extent is this possible with the Vettel / Racing Point combination? With Ferrari it was more of a tragedy recently …
Berger: Sebastian Vettel is a stroke of luck for Aston Martin and, as a four-time world champion, the best possible solution. And I also think he can move the team forward in his own way. But I don’t want to talk about a world championship title with Aston Martin. A lot has to go hand in hand for that and to be honest I don’t believe in that. On the other hand, there are isolated victories for Sebastian.
ran.de: What do you still personally trust in Vettel? How competitive are you today as a driver?
Berger: Sebastian has been so successful in his career so far and has shown his skills so often that he doesn’t really have to prove anything to anyone. I think it is the best solution for Aston Martin. Regardless, you want to prove to everyone once again that you are competitive in this new car. And in combination with Mercedes, I think Aston Martin is very powerful.
ran.de: How important is it for Formula 1 that a German is also represented in the driver’s field next season?
Berger: For a motorsport country like Germany, a workhorse like Sebastian Vettel, who has the right format and image, is extremely important.
ran.de: With Mick Schumacher, there is apparently another German on the Formula 1 starting grid. Michael Schumacher’s son will take a few laps in his father’s old Formula 1 car for the first time next weekend at Mugello. A message that caused quite a stir. How did you take this news?
Berger: To be honest, I wasn’t really surprised. Mick gets the best support and the right mindset from home. And ultimately, everyone is really happy to be making their way right now. Especially out of respect for his father, who was truly an exceptional racing driver.
ran.de: You have known Mick Schumacher for many years. How do you rate its development? What makes you special as a driver?
Berger: He has a lot from his father. I have always seen Mick very calm. However, despite everything, he is someone who works hard and makes his way step by step. Now he has won a Formula 2 race almost at the right time, so he climbs the ladder one rung after another. Perfect and carefully considered professional planning. Like then with his father.
ran.de: And when do you trust him to take the final step to Formula 1?
Berger: You might well imagine that this will already be the case in the upcoming 2021 season.
ran.de: And with what racing team?
Berger: I think of Alfa Romeo because they are close to Ferrari.
ran.de: As a former Formula 1 driver, what advice would you give him?
Berger: That it should stay as is. Mick is very polite, well behaved and always goes his own way. Everything really fits. Of course, no one can do the work for him, he has to do it himself. But I don’t see any problem there. I really like him and I firmly believe that we will hear a lot from him in the future.
The interview was conducted by: Dominik Hechler
Want the most important motorsports news, videos and data right to your smartphone? Then get the new running app with push notifications for the most important news about your favorite sport. Available in the app store for Apple and Android.
