Formula One icon Gerhard Berger has made a bold prediction that Ferrari will clinch a championship title in 2025.
The former McLaren and Ferrari driver expressed unwavering confidence in the Italian team’s prospects for the upcoming season.
Whilst Berger remained uncertain whether the success would come in the form of a drivers’ or constructors’ championship, he was adamant about Ferrari’s potential triumph.
“I would put my money on Ferrari this season,” Berger told Auto Motor und Sport.
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen will be competing against each other for race wins this season
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“I can’t say whether it will be [Lewis] Hamilton or [Charles] Leclerc, or whether it will be the drivers’ or constructors’ world championship, but they will win a title.
Berger’s confidence stems from Ferrari’s consistent performance throughout the 2024 season, where the team demonstrated strong pace at nearly every race weekend.
The Austrian racing veteran pointed to Ferrari’s well-balanced package, noting that both engine and chassis are now “well tuned.”
He emphasised the team’s impressive driver line-up as a key factor in their championship potential.
The only concerns he highlighted were “a few slip-ups” during the previous season, but these weren’t enough to shake his conviction about Ferrari’s title prospects.
Team principal Fred Vasseur received particular praise from Berger for his leadership style at Ferrari.
“He is calm, deliberate, sharp and delivers results. It was a good decision by Ferrari to contract him,” Berger remarked.
Lewis Hamilton will make his debut for Ferrari next monthReuters
The F1 legend acknowledged that success under Vasseur’s leadership would require patience, but expressed confidence in the team principal’s abilities.
Berger highlighted Vasseur’s previous connection with Lewis Hamilton during their GP2 days, which proved instrumental in securing the British driver’s signature.
“Vasseur will bring Ferrari back to the top,” Berger confidently predicted.
Berger also shared his thoughts on the highly anticipated teammate battle between Hamilton and Leclerc at Ferrari.
The Austrian believes Hamilton’s move to Ferrari will provide him with fresh motivation after challenging years at Mercedes.
He suggested Hamilton could return to peak form at Ferrari, stating the British driver ‘is really going to grit his teeth again’ and could certainly produce top performances again.
However, Berger warned that Hamilton might face challenges from his new teammate.
“It was a good decision by Ferrari to sign him,” Berger added.
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“And I think Hamilton needs the new motivation. He had been in the same team for so long that only a change of scenery would help.
“For Hamilton, coming fifth is not a result that motivates him, but he will really grit his teeth at Ferrari and could well perform at his best again.
“On the other hand, I think he will struggle against Leclerc’s speed. It will be a very close call.”