Berger expects Hamilton-Vettel duel to resume in 2018

Gerhard Berger is predicting a "big battle" between Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel for the 2018 championship. The former F1 driver's prediction comes as the tension in this year's title battle fizzles, following Ferrari and Vettel's horror three-race tour through Asia.

But Berger says Vettel should not consider himself a loser: "Vettel should not feel as a loser of 2017," the former McLaren and Ferrari driver told Auto Bild. "Ferrari made a giant leap from last season and put Mercedes under much more pressure than was expected. They are on the right track. In 2018 there will be a big battle between Hamilton and Vettel, both of whom will have four world championship titles by then," he said.

Berger, now the DTM series boss, was speaking last weekend at the finale of the German touring car championship at Hockenheim. The event was attended by Vettel himself, as the Ferrari driver watched over the progress of his younger brother Fabian in the Audi TT Cup support race.

When asked why Vettel's championship campaign collapsed so suddenly in 2017, Berger said: "It may be that Ferrari was surprised how well they were doing and put too much pressure on. If you develop faster than planned then the risk of defects increases," he said.

Replies (1)

Login to reply
  • I hope to see someone else fighting at the front. It would be much more exciting to see Ricciardo and Verstappen than Vettel lose his s***t every time he can't lead from pole.

    • + 0
    • Oct 16 2017 - 18:56

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

Test calendar

See full test schedule

World Championship standings 2026

Show full world champion standings

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
6 - Mar 8
Australia
13 - Mar 15
China
27 - Mar 29
Japan
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
1 - May 3
United States of America
22 - May 24
Canada
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
12 - Jun 14
Spain
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
10 - Apr 12
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
5 - Jun 7
Monaco Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Ferrari
  • Points 3,574
  • Podiums 133
  • Grand Prix 235
  • Country GB
  • Date of b. Jan 7 1985 (41)
  • Place of b. Tewin, GB
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.74 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar