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Gerhard Berger says Lewis Hamilton is the first driver he would “talk about in the same breath” as his good friend and former team-mate Ayrton Senna.
Berger had the opportunity to partner the three-time Formula 1 champion at McLaren from 1990 until 1992 and the duo quickly became good friends. When asked about Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen succeeding Hamilton in the pantheon of all-time greats, the Austrian said it will be difficult and compared the Briton to Senna.
“It’s going to be difficult for them,” said Berger.
“Hamilton is not just the best driver today, he’s well on the way to becoming the best ever.
“I resisted comparing him to Senna for a long time because I knew him (Senna) well, but I can now say with a clear conscience that Hamilton is the first driver I would talk about in the same breath.
Berger however couldn’t pick Verstappen or Leclerc as the better of the two.
“The two of them are fundamentally different.
“Verstappen is more aggressive and unpredictable. He is completely apolitical, and he says what he thinks loud enough for everyone to hear. He drives the same way.
“Leclerc on the other hand gives the impression of being the calmer and more considerate driver, and I also see more calculation, more politics.
“As I said, a completely different approach, but on the same level in terms of ability,” concluded Berger.
Source: Auto Motor und Sport