Gerhard Berger names Ayrton Senna as F1’s greatest driver but ‘very special’ star is catching up

Follow us on Google Discover

Gerhard Berger spent more than a decade racing in Formula 1 and competed against some of the greatest drivers in the sport’s history.

He made his debut in 1984, racing against the likes of Niki Lauda, Alain Prost and Nelson Piquet.

Ayrton Senna joined the F1 grid at the same time as Berger and dragged a mediocre Toleman to 9^th in the Drivers’ Championship, quickly showing his prowess at Monaco.

Gerhard Berger was speaking to the Bring Back V10s Podcast about his victory in 1997 at the German Grand Prix and reflecting generally on his time in F1.

Berger was asked about his relationship with Senna as the two drivers were close before the Brazilian’s untimely death in 1994.

While Berger had a very impressive Formula 1 career, it was nothing compared to Senna’s.

The triple world champion earned the first of his 41 victories just 16 races into his career, a feat very few drivers have ever matched.

Berger believes that Senna is the greatest driver to ever race in F1, but has now suggested that Red Bull star Max Verstappen is starting to go down the same road.

The Dutchman is also a triple world champion and looks on course to add a fourth title to his collection.

While Red Bull are currently struggling, his performances compared to teammate Sergio Perez highlight just how talented he really is.

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

Gerhard Berger compares ‘very special’ Max Verstappen to Ayrton Senna

Asked to describe Senna, Berger said: “Well Ayrton, for me was always first a good friend.

“We knew each other from our Formula 3 time until the end of his career.

“We had a lot of time spent together on the race track but also in the holiday time on my boat or at his place.

“To bring it to the point, he’d been for me the best Formula 1 driver ever.

“Saying this, I think Verstappen is starting to be very special too and maybe going on this road too.

“But the personality of Ayrton Senna on top of his success was such a special personality that I would say at the end of the day he’d be number one.”

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Red Bull Racing from engine to Ford links

Max Verstappen reaches 200 F1 races at the Dutch Grand Prix

The Formula 1 calendar is very different now to 30 years ago when Senna was at his peak.

Senna’s debut season contained 16 races, while Verstappen is preparing for his 15^th Grand Prix weekend of the year with nine still to come and several Sprint Races to throw into the mix as well.

It makes comparing Senna’s 161 Grand Prix starts to Verstappen’s 199 very tricky, although Verstappen and Hamilton’s records are eerily similar.

Senna and Verstappen both have three World Championships to their name but Verstappen is already 20 victories ahead of the Brazilian.

Verstappen does trail ‘Beco’ in one key area, with Senna’s record of 65 pole positions trumping Verstappen’s tally of 40.

That’s never been identified as a weakness in Verstappen’s armoury such is his brilliant – but sometimes overly aggressive – racecraft.

Verstappen will almost certainly end up eclipsing all of Senna’s records throughout his Formula 1 career.

But to match his legacy and reputation in the sport will take quite a lot more work.