Berger: Leclerc impressive, but Red Bull package 'nearly unbeatable'

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F1 veteran Gerhard Berger is taking a keen interest in the fierce title battle opposing Red Bull and Ferrari, and their star drivers Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc.

Verstappen heads into the French Grand Prix weekend with a 38-point lead over Leclerc, but Ferrari defeated the bulls in the last two races in Great Britain and in Austria, with Carlos Sainz winning his maiden F1 race at Silverstone while Leclerc added at the Red Bull Ring a third win this season with the Scuderia.

Berger, a ten-time Grand Prix winner who raced for Ferrari in the late 80s and mid-90s, offered his view on the two title protagonists' respective qualities in the latest F1 Nation podcast.

Read also: Red Bull not bolstered by Ferrari reliability issues – Horner

"Leclerc has impressed me with his talent, with his speed on one lap in qualifying – he's doing very, very well," Berger began.

"[But] in the racecraft, I have seen a little bit of an advantage to Max. He's brilliant over the whole race, using every possibility.

"He's very strong at overtaking, he's very strong in wheel-to-wheel fighting and he's very strong at reading the race.

"Combine this with the strategy of Red Bull, who are extremely good, and the good pit-stops of Red Bull... I think it's nearly an unbeatable package."

Berger says Verstappen's 2021 world title has spurred on the Dutchman whom he believes has taken his driving to the next level.

"I think Verstappen is even better than last year," added the Austrian. "I think to win a championship, it takes a lot of pressure away from you."

The 62-year-old suggests Leclerc still needs a bit of experience to iron out a few mistakes and to solidify his driving.

"He did one or two mistakes this year, which shouldn't happen when he's really serious for the championship," he continued.

"At Imola [with the spin] at the chicane, just finish third and take the points. This is where Lewis [Hamilton] impresses me so much. Lewis is always there and, whenever the door is open, he's on the podium and takes the points.

"In these areas Leclerc still needs a little bit of experience, but in general he is absolutely a guy who can win championships."

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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.