F1 News
Berger "doesn't dare to predict" the outcome of Ferrari teammate duel
While Gerhard Berger expects Sebastian Vettel to come fighting back in the 2020 Formula 1 season, he doesn't dare predict the outcome of his duel with Charles Leclerc. Last season, Leclerc beat his four-time world champion teammate and earned himself a mega-contract extension which will see him wear red until at least 2024.
Vettel's number one driver status at the Italian team seems in doubt. The German's contract runs out at the end of the 2020 season. Vettel must impress Mattia Binotto if he's to stay at Ferrari. Former Ferrari driver Berger expects Vettel to relish the challenge and teammate duel.
"We don't know if it's a decisive year for him personally. Will he do his last year and want a good retirement? Does he want to take on Leclerc? Clearly Leclerc is a tough nut to crack, but that's always the case when you drive for Ferrari, Mercedes or Red Bull," Berger told Auto Motor und Sport.
"It always was that, at the top teams, there are two alpha animals who butt heads until one remains. When I went to McLaren, it was Senna. You can't run away from it. In the last third of the season, Vettel showed that he can beat Leclerc very well.
"Unquestionably, Leclerc has the future ahead of him and Sebastian is in the last stage of his career. But he has so much experience, has been world champion four times, and at Ferrari for five years. From this, he can balance out the boy's bravery. It will be an interesting duel, But I don't dare to predict the outcome," Berger added.