Marko: 'He had the potential to be world champion in Formula One'
F1 News
- Corwin Kunst
Helmut Marko thinks Gerhard Berger did not make the most of his Formula 1 career. According to the Red Bull Racing team advisor, his compatriot definitely had the ability to become a Formula 1 world champion. In the end, Berger finished third in the battle for the world title three times.
Berger made his debut in the top class of motorsport in 1984, and via Arrows and Benneton, he eventually joined Ferrari and McLaren. Berger eventually completed 210 races at the highest level. He won 10 races, finished on the podium 48 times, and secured 12 pole positions.
However, according to Marko, these statistics could have looked even better. "He had the potential to become world champion," said the 81-year-old Austrian, who remembers his first meeting with Berger when speaking to ServusTV. "I immediately realised he was an extraordinary talent."
Marko and Berger parted ways
Marko acted as a mentor to Berger and took him under his wing. However, the successful duo eventually broke up, something Berger describes as "one of the biggest mistakes of his life". "He had the potential to become a great. He didn't make the most of his talent. You have to have the people above you, behind you and there were a few races..."
That's when Berger interrupted: "Helmut, we don't have to tell everything! We can sometimes leave something out." Marko's response was witty: "That's why you didn't become world champion."
This article has been created in collaboration with Matt Gretton
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