A Year After Calling Lewis Hamilton the GOAT, Gerhard Berger Flips His Opinion to Call Max Verstappen a ‘Greater Talent’

Former Formula 1 driver Gerhard Berger has changed his stance on Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. As recently as last season, Berger called Hamilton the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) alongside Ayrton Senna. However, his recent statements suggest a shift in opinion, with Berger now praising Verstappen as the better talent.

At the start of the 2022 season, he questioned Hamilton‘s promise to be “more aggressive” and believed the Briton should stick to his calm driving style. Berger praised Hamilton’s ability to strategically yield positions and regain them later.

Talking about this, he said, “I just can see with all Lewis has experience, he is very serene. He used his chances the whole time. Except Silverstone, he just was perfect.”

Berger: ‘Verstappen is in the same league as Ayrton Senna’

In a recent interview, Berger said Verstappen was “in the same league” as Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher. Berger added that Max Verstappen has the potential to become the greatest Formula 1 driver in history. Berger admits Verstappen is still young but believes he has exceptional talent and achievement.

Niki Lauda and Jenson Button have both talked about Max being a generational talent and one of the most talented pilots in the history of F1

Gerhard Berger, Ayrton Senna’s friend and teammate has said that Verstappen is on the same level as Senna saying “they are the two best… pic.twitter.com/670d9E0cI7

— Clapped 🚀 (@clappedsti) September 10, 2023

According to Berger, Verstappen has the potential to beat Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher, two legends in his sport. Berger recognizes Verstappen’s has more time and believes he can reach even greater heights in his career.

Beger said, “Verstappen and Senna are unique in the business – they are the two best I have seen in the last 50 years,”  as he told Kronen Zeitung.

Verstappen surpasses Ayrton Senna as the driver with most wins

Max Verstappen has overtaken Ayrton Senna as the winningest driver in Formula 1 history. Verstappen won the 2023 Austrian Grand Prix, his 42nd career victory, surpassing Senna’s 41 victories. Currently, he stands 5th on the list of the most race wins with 47 in his bag. Verstappen, a Red Bull driver, is the youngest driver to win 42 races. The Dutch driver started from pole position and led every race lap.

Additionally, Red Bull broke McLaren’s record for the longest winning streak in Formula 1 history. Red Bull has won the 15th race in a row, breaking the eleven-win streak established in 1988. The Red Bull streak started with Max Verstappen’s victory in the 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.  Verstappen has achieved 47 wins and 28 pole positions.