Sebastian Vettel would be challenging for second in the Formula 1 championship with Racing Point, ex-Ferrari driver Gerhard Berger claims.
The four-time world champion is currently linked to joining the team that will be known as Aston Martin from 2021, this after being replaced at the Scuderia by Carlos Sainz for next year.
However, with the Silverstone-based already putting forward a strong case for being the second-fastest team with their so-called ‘Pink Mercedes’, Berger believes Vettel would be the perfect driver to extract their full potential.
“Nothing against Racing Point drivers Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll, but Sebastian Vettel would be driving to be ‘Vice World Champion’ this season in the ‘second’ Mercedes car,” the Austrian told F1-Insider.
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“Sebastian seems to be completely free in his head again, as if he wanted to prove to Ferrari that by not extending his contract they have made a huge mistake,” he added.
“With this bad car, he no longer has the pressure to win [races]. In Hungary, he was his old self again and [Charles] Leclerc didn’t stand a chance.”
According to Michael Schmidt of Auto Motor und Sport, Racing Point Lawrence Stroll is set to decide this weekend if he wants to sign Vettel and trigger the release clause in Sergio Perez’s contract.
Should the Canadian decide not to go ahead and sign the German, however, the always controversial Jacques Villeneuve has suggested Red Bull take back their former hero.
“[Max] Verstappen already has problems with the car and it makes sense that [Alex] Albon is even further behind,” Motorsport-magazin.com quotes the 1997 F1 champion as telling Sky Italia.
“These cars are really not easy to drive. Adrian Newey always designs his cars to the limit.
“Vettel has shown in the past that he has the Newey cars under control,” he explained. “That makes him the perfect team-mate for Verstappen.
“Red Bull would finally have two drivers who can drive to the limit.”
