F1 legend adamant: ‘Putting my money on Ferrari this season’ after he…read more
Formula 1 legend Gerhard Berger is confident that Ferrari will be a serious contender for the 2025 World Championship, stating that he would place his bets on the Scuderia to win a title this season. However, the former Ferrari and McLaren driver is unsure whether they will secure the Drivers’ or Constructors’ Championship. While he acknowledges the excitement of the internal team battle between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, he feels that it is too close to call at this point. Despite this uncertainty, Berger believes their rivalry will provide an engaging storyline throughout the season.
Speaking with Auto Motor und Sport, Berger expressed his optimism about Ferrari’s chances. “I would put my money on Ferrari this season,” he said. “I cannot say whether it will be Hamilton or Leclerc and whether it will be a drivers’ or constructors’ championship, but they are going to win a title. That’s the impression I get.” Berger noted that Ferrari showed consistent speed during the 2024 season, only facing a few setbacks. With Fred Vasseur at the helm, Berger believes the team is poised for success, especially as they have made significant progress with both their engine and chassis. He also emphasized that Ferrari now has two top-tier drivers in Hamilton and Leclerc, which further strengthens their title prospects.
Berger praised Fred Vasseur’s leadership, recognizing the calm and focused approach he brings to the team. “He is calm, deliberate, sharp and delivers results,” Berger said. “It was a good decision by Ferrari to bring him in.” Vasseur, who previously worked with Hamilton during his GP2 days, has gradually been steering Ferrari towards the top after a period of rebuilding. According to Berger, the pieces of the puzzle are falling into place for Ferrari, and they have now solidified their position as a leading contender for both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships in 2025. “Vasseur will bring Ferrari back to the top,” Berger stated confidently.
Berger also spoke about Hamilton’s motivation following a few challenging years with Mercedes. He believes that a move to Ferrari could reignite Hamilton’s drive to perform at the highest level. “He had been with the same team for so long that only a change of scenery would help,” he explained. Berger pointed out that finishing fifth with Mercedes was not something that motivated the seven-time World Champion, and a fresh challenge with Ferrari could inspire him to push harder. “He is really going to grit his teeth again at Ferrari and could certainly produce top performances again.”
However, Berger acknowledged that Hamilton could struggle with the pace of Leclerc, who has already established himself as one of the fastest drivers on the grid. He believes the competition between the two will be intense, creating an exciting dynamic for fans throughout the season. “This is going to be a very exciting season,” he concluded.
In summary, Gerhard Berger sees Ferrari as the team to watch in 2025, with the potential to secure a title. While there is uncertainty around which title they will win or who will come out on top between Hamilton and Leclerc, the upcoming season promises to be a thrilling one.
