Formula 1 icon Gerhard Berger has pinpointed Ferrari as the most probable contender to challenge Red Bull’s supremacy in the 2024 season. Berger, an Austrian legend known for partnering with the great Ayrton Senna at McLaren, shared his insights with Kronen Zeitung newspaper. “I used to say that Senna is the best driver of all time,” the 64-year-old said. “But I think (Max) Verstappen is a little better. I have never seen such skills before,” he asserted, placing Verstappen at the pinnacle of driving talent.
Turning his attention to the 2024 F1 season, Berger believes Ferrari holds the key to dethroning Red Bull. Having driven for Ferrari himself in the 80s and 90s, Berger has a unique perspective on the team. “I look at Ferrari as the second team,” he said, highlighting the Maranello squad’s potential. He acknowledges the arrival of Fred Vasseur to Ferrari, noting that while Vasseur has had a year to settle in, it’s now time for the team to step up. “Fred Vasser is new to the team and should have been given some time, but a year has passed now and I believe the team is now able to move on,” Berger explained.
However, he cautions against underestimating the Red Bull outfit. “But don’t forget that Red Bull with Max Verstappen, Adrian Newey, Helmut Marko, and Christian Horner is the standard,” he added. In Berger’s view, Red Bull’s combination of leadership and driving prowess sets a high bar. “They have the strongest leadership and the strongest driver. It will be hard to top them. I think they will be ahead again,” he concluded, setting the stage for an intriguing battle at the top of F1 in 2024.
