Former Formula 1 driver and team owner Gerhard Berger has cast his experienced eye over the grid and given his opinion as to how the top four currently rank.
The 54-year-old believes Sebastian Vettel is now the most complete driver ahead of Fernando Alonso, who he says lost some drive in 2013 when he openly criticised Ferrari.
“Until a year ago I saw Alonso as the most complete driver,” he told Auto und Motor Sport. “But, after this year, I would for the first time put Vettel in first place.
“Alonso has shown this year that he’s not quite as perfect as I first thought.
“He has not led his team well during difficult times. He criticised Ferrari in public which was not productive. He has shown a weakness,” he added.
“Vettel also had his problems in the first half of the season but he still did his job.”
RAIKKONEN ABOVE HAMILTON
Ranking Lewis Hamilton, Berger put the Briton below Kimi Raikkonen, whose return to F1 has impressed the Austrian massively.
“Hamilton? He is still not as complete as the two for me. Vettel and Alonso are playing in league of their own.
“Hamilton’s speed is enormous but he has too many distractions outside of racing,” he explained.
“Just behind Vettel and Alonso for me comes Raikkonen. It is great what he still does although with Alonso [at Ferrari in 2014] he might now reach his limits.”
ROSBERG ONE TO WATCH
Speaking about the rest of the grid, he highlighted Nico Rosberg as one to watch. The German went up against Hamilton last year and finished just 18 points adrift.
“I am impressed by Nico Rosberg. He is underestimated,” he continued.
“He put in an unbelievable performance against Michael Schumacher and has done the same against Hamilton.
“Step by step he is bringing the team to his side. At the beginning they were all Hamilton fever. It was like that with Schumacher and now he’s turning the tables for a second time. Nico will win a World Championship.”
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