'Vettel wants to prove no Ferrari contract extension was a mistake' - Berger
- Published on 24 Jul 2020 13:12
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- By: Coilin Higgins
Former F1 race winner Gerhard Berger believes Sebastian Vettel is looking to make Ferrari regret not re-signing him for another season.
The team announced that it would part ways with Vettel at the end of the season last May, with McLaren's Carlos Sainz making the switch to red to partner Charles Leclerc for 2021.
Since the announcement, Vettel has been linked with a move to a number of teams, most recently with Racing Point as it becomes Aston Martin for next season.
Speaking recently to f1-insider.com, Berger, who was team principal at Toro Rosso during Vettel's first full season in 2008, used the example of Vettel at the recent Hungarian Grand Prix, stating he drove like the 'old Vettel.'
He believed that Vettel was no longer driving under pressure and was looking to make the team regret its decision in what will be his final season with the Scuderia.
"Sebastian seems to be completely free in his head again as if he wants to prove to Ferrari that not extending his contract was a huge mistake," Berger said.
"Also, with this bad car, he no longer has the pressure that he absolutely must win. In Hungary, he was the old Vettel again. Leclerc didn't stand a chance,"
Touching also on the recent rumours of Vettel's switch to Racing Point for 2021, Berger urged the German four-time champion to accept the offer to join the Aston Martin project should a realistic chance arrive.
During last weekend's Grand Prix in Hungary, Vettel confirmed that there had been talks between himself and the team on a possible switch, but nothing yet had been agreed.
"Nothing against Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll, but a Sebastian Vettel would drive to be runner-up world champion this year in that year-old Mercedes," Berger added.
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Replies (7)
Login to replyJuJuHound
Posts: 352
Former F1 race winner... hmm he won 10 races as far I know, I might be wrong but I remember
1986 Mexico
1987 Japan, Australia
1988 Italy
1991 Suzuka
1992 Canada, Australia
1994 Germany
1996 Germany
I cannot remind one... hmmm
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
either you are a race winner or you are not. He is a former race driver who won at least one GP (more, I think?).
Pistonhead
Posts: 556
It’s interesting isn’t it? Vettel’s clearly lacked some confidence and lets be honest, there’s been a few major incidents that he’s been lampooned for - he’s showing the mettle to bounce back and I think he will, reliability aside, outgun Leclerc this year. I really hope I’m right.
essaouira311
Posts: 158
Berger is right. The burden a driver has on his shoulders at Ferrari is tremendous unless the driver is as ruthless as MSC or the team have a solid management. Neither of these is the case here.
Dert38
Posts: 376
Vettel >>>>>>>>> Jacques Villeneuve
Dert38
Posts: 376
Race winner about race winner, hmmm
essaouira311
Posts: 158
I hope you don't compare Seb with Jacques Villeneuve...
You know, one championship may be won due to sheer luck or circumstances (e.g. James Hunt), but four championships is something COMPLETELY different...