Berger would advise Vettel to retire from F1

©Ferrari

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Gerhard Berger says a move to Racing Point would provide Sebastian Vettel with "a better situation" next season, but the ex-F1 driver would nevertheless advise the German to retire from the sport.

Vettel's only viable option for remaining a Grand Prix driver in 2021 is a seat with Racing Point, which team owner Lawrence Stroll is rumored to have offered the Scuderia driver.

Vettel would replace incumbent Sergio Perez and bring to the future Aston Martin Racing team the luster of a four-time world champion.

As the man who guided the 53-time Grand Prix winner through his first full season of F1 when he co-owned junior bull outfit Toro Rosso in 2007, Berger is well-placed to judge his former protégé's predicament and offer advice.

Puzzled Vettel says 'something doesn't stack up'

Sebastian is a four-time world champion four times and survived everything well," Berger told German website Sportbuzzer. "My advice would be to retire.

"On the other hand, I know Sebastian very well. He is a thoroughbred racer, he wants to win races again. Racing Point is well suited for this at the moment.

"They have a car that Perez or Lance Stroll can put on the podium. I would say that a driver of the caliber of Sebastian would clearly be on the podium and maybe even beat Mercedes or at least play a role up front.

It would be a much better situation than the one he finds himself in at Ferrari. So that's a realistic alternative - and I would totally understand if he took the step."

As an ex distinguished member of the Scuderia, Berger obviously remains attentive to his former team's plight.

"I saw it coming," said the DTM boss. "If you were running in the past year an engine that was not within the regulations, and then take a closer look, you automatically always fall behind.

"The time you gained is lost time. You then must catch up in development. It will therefore take some time before the lag in performance levels out.

"Ferrari lost a second, that’s 50 to 60bhp. Before that, however, they weren’t ahead of Mercedes in terms of performance. So you are looking for 70 to 80hp.

"At that level, it’s an incredibly hard job. It will be a year or two of work."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.