Berger: 'As a team boss, I would put one of them next to Verstappen'

Admiration for Alonso, Verstappen and Hamilton

In an interview with Autobild the Austrian is asked which drivers he admires most of today's Formula One drivers. The former Formula One driver does not make a hard choice but wants to name a few drivers, including Fernando Alonso. "In the race car he is a beast. It's a pity he hasn't always been happy politically, otherwise he would have had more than two titles."

Verstappen is also mentioned by Berger. "Although he is so young, he already has a lot of experience. With his car control and aggressiveness, he is an absolute highlight in Formula 1." Lewis Hamilton, according to Berger, is an exceptional driver sportingly with his titles. Of the young drivers, Lando Norris and George Russell impress him the most.

Berger chooses ideal driver combination

If Berger has to choose the best driver in Formula 1, he has to say, Hamilton. "Verstappen does have an aggressiveness in him that is usually an advantage, but just sometimes still costs points. In that respect, Lewis is more calculating. Max is completely programmed to win, is always in overtaking mode. Usually it works, but not always. In terms of pure speed, Max is ahead."

If Berger were a team boss himself in Formula 1, the Austrian would choose Verstappen as his driver, along with a clear number two. "I wouldn't put it on myself that one always takes the points from the other," he said. However, Berger also remembers the way of thinking of Frank Williams, who always wanted only the fastest drivers, regardless of whether they drove each other's cars. "Then I would take Norris or Russell next to Verstappen," he said.