'Vettel wants to prove no Ferrari contract extension was a mistake' - Berger

Former F1 race winner Gerhard Berger believes Sebastian Vettel is looking to make Ferrari regret not re-signing him for another season.

The team announced that it would part ways with Vettel at the end of the season last May, with McLaren's Carlos Sainz making the switch to red to partner Charles Leclerc for 2021.

Since the announcement, Vettel has been linked with a move to a number of teams, most recently with Racing Point as it becomes Aston Martin for next season.

Speaking recently to f1-insider.com, Berger, who was team principal at Toro Rosso during Vettel's first full season in 2008, used the example of Vettel at the recent Hungarian Grand Prix, stating he drove like the 'old Vettel.'

He believed that Vettel was no longer driving under pressure and was looking to make the team regret its decision in what will be his final season with the Scuderia.

"Sebastian seems to be completely free in his head again as if he wants to prove to Ferrari that not extending his contract was a huge mistake," Berger said.

"Also, with this bad car, he no longer has the pressure that he absolutely must win. In Hungary, he was the old Vettel again. Leclerc didn't stand a chance,"

Touching also on the recent rumours of Vettel's switch to Racing Point for 2021, Berger urged the German four-time champion to accept the offer to join the Aston Martin project should a realistic chance arrive.

During last weekend's Grand Prix in Hungary, Vettel confirmed that there had been talks between himself and the team on a possible switch, but nothing yet had been agreed.

"Nothing against Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll, but a Sebastian Vettel would drive to be runner-up world champion this year in that year-old Mercedes," Berger added.

I hope you don't compare Seb with Jacques Villeneuve...
You know, one championship may be won due to sheer luck or circumstances (e.g. James Hunt), but four championships is something COMPLETELY different...

  • 2
  • Jul 24 2020 - 22:56

Replies (7)

Login to reply
  • JuJuHound

    Posts: 352

    Former F1 race winner... hmm he won 10 races as far I know, I might be wrong but I remember
    1986 Mexico
    1987 Japan, Australia
    1988 Italy
    1991 Suzuka
    1992 Canada, Australia
    1994 Germany
    1996 Germany

    I cannot remind one... hmmm

    • + 0
    • Jul 24 2020 - 14:41
  • either you are a race winner or you are not. He is a former race driver who won at least one GP (more, I think?).

    • + 0
    • Jul 24 2020 - 16:31
  • It’s interesting isn’t it? Vettel’s clearly lacked some confidence and lets be honest, there’s been a few major incidents that he’s been lampooned for - he’s showing the mettle to bounce back and I think he will, reliability aside, outgun Leclerc this year. I really hope I’m right.

    • + 0
    • Jul 24 2020 - 18:34
  • Berger is right. The burden a driver has on his shoulders at Ferrari is tremendous unless the driver is as ruthless as MSC or the team have a solid management. Neither of these is the case here.

    • + 0
    • Jul 24 2020 - 19:56
    • Dert38

      Posts: 377

      Vettel >>>>>>>>> Jacques Villeneuve

      • + 0
      • Jul 24 2020 - 20:32
  • Dert38

    Posts: 377

    Race winner about race winner, hmmm

    • + 0
    • Jul 24 2020 - 20:33
    • I hope you don't compare Seb with Jacques Villeneuve...
      You know, one championship may be won due to sheer luck or circumstances (e.g. James Hunt), but four championships is something COMPLETELY different...

      • + 2
      • Jul 24 2020 - 22:56

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia
21 - Mar 23 2025
China
4 - Apr 6 2025
Japan
11 - Apr 13 2025
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America
16 - May 18 2025
Italy
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco
30 - Jun 1 2025
Spain
13 - Jun 15 2025
Canada
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27 2025
Belgium
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5 2025
Singapore
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America
24 - Oct 26 2025
Mexico
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America
28 - Nov 30 2025
Qatar
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23 2025
4 - Apr 6 2025
11 - Apr 13 2025
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18 2025
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1 2025
13 - Jun 15 2025
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27 2025
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5 2025
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26 2025
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30 2025
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Aston Martin
  • Points 1,480
  • Podiums 56
  • Grand Prix 161
  • Country DE
  • Date of b. Jul 3 1987 (38)
  • Place of b. Heppenheim, DE
  • Weight 62 kg
  • Length 1.75 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar