Gerhard Berger is simply in awe of Formula 1 driver who ‘never makes mistakes’

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Gerhard Berger has admitted he can’t see anyone but Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen winning the 2024 Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship.

Verstappen was simply unstoppable last year, winning 19 races for Red Bull as he strolled to his third consecutive title.

Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, Gerhard Berger has said that it’s hard to look past the Dutchman and shared why he thinks he’s such a good driver.

Despite only being 26, Max Verstappen is already amongst the greats of the sport when it comes to his achievements.

Only Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher have won more races than the Dutchman although he has benefitted from an expended race calendar in that respect.

McLaren’s Andrea Stella believes he’s part of the only driver line-up faster than his own, although his colleague Zak Brown has admitted he could see Lewis Hamilton challenge him this year.

Gerhard Berger is the latest former driver to admit that it’s hard to look past Red Bull and Verstappen dominating again in 2024.

Their car was so superior to the rest of the field that someone would have had to make a huge step forward to challenge them.

Not only that but even in the same machinery, Sergio Perez could simply get nowhere near him after the first few races.

Berger hails Red Bull star Verstappen

Speaking about the Dutchman’s chance, Berger said: “The Verstappen and Red Bull pairing are very strong, the team is stable, everyone in the team is confident and the regulations have not changed.

“Good reasons to consider Max still the favourite in the World Championship. The most impressive thing, in addition to his hunger for victories, is the fact that he never makes mistakes.

“He is very experienced and mature, despite his young age, and he also knows how to best manage every situation on and off the track, be it strategies, politics or relations with the media, maintaining a ‘low profile’ which makes me like him.

“Max is part of a new generation of drivers who grew up with karting and the simulator. In the past Ayrton Senna, Stefan Belloff and Michael Schumacher had only had karting as a training ground.

“Instead, Verstappen was able also develop other qualities, taking driving perfection to a higher level.

“His father and mother, former drivers, contributed by teaching him the tricks of the trade.

“It must be said, however, that Red Bull was dominant last year and this has allowed Max to have a comfortable life, always being able to manage a big advantage, while in 2024 I expect Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes to be closer.”

Plenty of F1 fans will hope Berger is wrong and Red Bull and Verstappen don’t dominate like they did in 2023.

However, there was still plenty of excitement on track last year with most teams closer together than they ever had been before.

You had to ignore what was going on at the very wrong to enjoy the races though, with Verstappen barely featuring during broadcasts such was his lead.

Christian Horner will hope this year is as straightforward as last year to guarantee another two titles for his team.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if that was the case, but the gap should be closer to the rest of the field over the winter.