DTM: Berger plans the future of Villeneuve and Hülkenberg

January 28, 2021

2 2 minutes read

– 01/28/2021

Villeneuve and Hulkenberg in sight

DTM boss Gerhard Berger currently has his hands full with saving the DTM. He has these two pilots in his sights.

E.x Formula 1 star Gerhard Berger (61) is currently working day and night to get his DTM up and running with new regulations. His tasks also include looking beyond the world’s best touring car series in order to put together the optimal package. That is why the former Ferrari driver is considered an insider on the Formula 1 scene, and his advice is still heard there.

The Tyrolean is convinced that every series needs drivers with whom the fans can identify. Formula 1 drivers, current and former, who compete in the DTM with world-class touring car drivers such as René Rast, Marco Wittmann or Timo Glock, would help. So the DTM could become “a Race of Champions” – but over ten events a year. Berger has already made the start with ex-world champion Jenson Button. The British world champion from 2009 has its own team with a McLaren GT3. It is certain that he will also get into the steering wheel of his McLaren himself.

Red Bull substitute driver Alexander Albon will take part with a Ferrari and Red Bull support. But Berger has other plans. Former world champion Jacques Villeneuve has also indicated interest in getting involved in the new DTM. “I think, next to Formula 1, it is currently the most attractive racing series for a racing driver with ambitions,” the Canadian told ABMS.

Berger: “Jacques would fit perfectly into the concept. In the end, however, it is a question of financing. Everyone is working to find sponsors. “

Nico Hulkenberg

Berger still has a preferred candidate: Nico Hülkenberg. The German still hesitates. Emmerich, who is unemployed in the premier class and is considered one of the top ten drivers worldwide, wants to focus again on Formula 1 in 2021. In 2020 he shone three times as a substitute for Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll, who were suffering from corona. In 2021 he wants to be the man you ask when it comes to playing the Formula 1 firefighter. A DTM involvement could distract from this goal in his perception. But the last word has not yet been spoken.

Berger continues to closely follow the events in the premier class. The question he is asked most often: How good is record world champion Lewis Hamilton really? Could other pilots perform similarly in the superior Mercedes. Berger to ABMS: “Lewis is absolutely world class. In addition to his insane speed and extreme talent, he now also has experience. Team-mate Valtteri Bottas is not exactly slow either, but in the end he has no chance against Hamilton. Most would be like that. “

Alone: He trusts three drivers to also become world champions in the Mercedes. Berger: “Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel in normal form. Otherwise I don’t see anyone at this top level. But Lewis is still number one for me at the moment. “

With seven world titles, is Hamilton also the best driver of all time? Berger: “We had Fangio, Prost, Michael Schumacher, Alonso, Vettel and others who shaped an era. For me, Hamilton is at the top. But for me the best of all time is still Ayrton Senna. “

Berger, who was a teammate of the legendary Brazilian at McLaren in 1990 and 1991: “Ayrton had no weaknesses and also enchanted the environment with his incredible charisma.”