“I see their rivalry like that of Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost”-Former Ferrari driver Gerhard Berger hails the budding competition.
In the last couple of years, Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen have been viewed as the new competition to follow. A few glimpses of brilliant competitions between two further boosted their rivalry.
Reflecting on this, former Ferrari driver and teammate of Ayrton Sennas has predicted the level of this rivalry on par with Senna vs Alain Prost, which was the epitome Formula 1 battle of the last century.
“I see their rivalry like that of Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost used to be. Charles is a calmer person inside the cockpit; he drives feeling less emotion. Verstappen instead is very aggressive, a bit like Ayrton. I could not tell you who would win between the two,” said Berger to Motorionline.com.
Last year, there was a dip in this rivalry, as Ferrari struggled to be on at their usual level and finished at 6th position. Though, Leclerc was hailed for his maximum output in the underwhelming machinery.
This rivalry is considered to be further extended to George Russell and Lando Norris, who are seen as the main men of Mercedes and revived McLaren respectively.
Lewis Hamilton is the complete driver.
Despite the rise of the new generation, Berger feels that Lewis Hamilton is the complete driver in the current paddock and is among the greatest, as the Briton is set for his 8th title fight.
“Hamilton remains the most complete and competitive in the starting grid. He always knows how to read the situation perfectly and makes the most of his car on every lap.”
“I have only seen this quality in Senna and Schumacher. The two of them, plus Lewis, are the strongest drivers who have ever driven in Formula 1’s history″.