Former F1 driver Gerhard Berger has backed Ferrari to walk away from the upcoming campaign with a title in hand.
The Italian squad has signed Lewis Hamilton to partner Charles Leclerc as it seeks its first F1 championship in 17 years.
Ferrari narrowly missed out on the constructors’ trophy last year with McLaren triumphing at the final round in Abu Dhabi.
However, with the regulations remaining stable over the winter, the pecking order at the front of the grid is expected to again be close, with Ferrari tipped to be a key player.
Berger, who spent six seasons racing for Ferrari, expects the Maranello-based outfit to secure a title by the year’s end.
“I would put my money on Ferrari this season,” he told Auto Motor und Sport.
“I can’t say whether Hamilton or Leclerc will win the drivers‘ world championship, but they will win a title.
“That’s my personal impression. Ferrari was almost always fast last year, with a few slip-ups.”
Berger hails Vasseur impact on Ferrari
Team principal Frederic Vasseur is entering his third season in charge of Ferrari after succeeding Mattia Binotto at the start of 2023.
Vasseur has been hailed for his impact on the team during his tenure to date, with the Frenchman receiving high praise from Berger.
“I trust Fred Vasseur to get the volatility out of this system,” he said. “It took a while, but I think they are very close.
“They are well positioned in terms of engine and chassis and have top drivers. Vasseur makes a good impression.
“He is calm, thoughtful, always on point, and he delivers. That has been the case at all the stations in the motorsport world where he has been so far.
“It was a good decision by Ferrari to sign him. And it was clear that it would take a year or two for his work to pay off.
“Now I have the feeling that it’s starting to work. I also think it’s great that he got Hamilton. Vasseur will bring Ferrari back to the top.”
