An interview with Gerhard Berger

From local TV: An interview with Gerhard Berger about his transfer situation

Berger on Schumacher: "I don't understand Schumachers way of thinking. He want's to have the best motor, and that his teammate gets the worst. But that is not Ferrari's way of working neither the idea behind the sport. As far as I know, Ferrari announced that they'll provide equal conditions for both drivers." "I have been driving with Senna, Mansell, Alboreto and Alesi. I am sure, I can beat Michael Schumacher. Otherwise I would be wrong in this sport. It is hard to tell, how fast MS really is, because he had a lot of luck also. Just remember that he had one of the best cars during the last two years."

Berger on "Schumacher wants Larini": "If Schumacher wants Larini it would be the best to bring Nakajima back from Japan".

Berger on the 1996 championship: "It is clear that the one who is in front in the championship gets support from the one who is behind, as soon as the second lost every chance. But that will not happen. I am sure I can get close enough to Michael and there will never be such a big gap for this to happen. Sometimes he will win races, sometimes I will."

Berger on Ferrari's decision: "It was more than three month ago that Ferrari asked me, if I wouldn't accept any teammate. I said no. Ferrari said, they wanted to part with Alesi and wanted to get the best driver. Schumacher is the best so they did their work."

Berger on his contract: "I have a contract who promises me equal conditions. And this fact is secured by financial matters, so that Ferrari won't risk anything." "The money is not important for me, just the probability of a good chance to win races."

Berger on his decision: "I don't play poker and I don't risk anything. Of course there is a closing date, but Ferrari wants me and McLaren wants me, and the decision will not be made, before I am ready." "My decision will be made on the following terms: Each night I go to bed and hope to wake up in the morning, knowing which team gives me the best chance for good results."

Berger on Williams: "Williams is the best car and would have given me the best chance to win the championship. I have been talking to Frank Williams and I knew, that Villeneuve had signed. Then came Schumachers decision to drive for Ferrari, and Frank Williams knew, this is his chance to win the championship 1995 with Hill. So he had to support Hill as best as he could and so Hill signed for 1996. Unfortunatly that door was closed for me."

Berger on McLaren: "I am still in talk with McLaren and I know, that they want me to drive their car. And don't underestimate McLaren-Mercedes. They'll come back on top for sure."

[From another interview on the radio today]: Berger: "McLaren is already nearly as fast as we are. As soon as they are reliable, they will be a tough challenge. And they will be back soon."

That's all for now. And please recognize, that I had to translate Bergers words from German to English. So please be patient with my grammar.

BTW, isn't it interesting that there were no comments on Benetton ?

Dieter