F1 race winner blasts modern stars and insists sport is BEHIND rival series
F1 race winner blasts modern stars and insists sport is BEHIND rival series
Former Formula 1 driver Gerhard Berger has slammed modern day drivers and insisted that MotoGP is ahead of the series.
Since the Austrian’s 15-year F1 career ended when he retired in 1997, technology and safety standards have significantly improved to bring the chances of a fatal accident down.
But that does not mean the drivers are immune to injury while in the cockpit; Daniel Ricciardo suffered a broken wrist in a bizarre crash at Zandvoort and Lance Stroll raced at the season opener in Bahrain having broken both wrists in training just weeks prior.
There is also the issue of extreme weather conditions such as in Qatar, where the intense heat and humidity during the weekend left several drivers almost passing out and vomiting after the race.
Berger: MotoGP is ahead of F1
But Berger – who won 10 grands prix in his career – has criticised modern F1 drivers for making a big deal out of injuries and difficult conditions.
Speaking with Auto Motorsport, he claimed that the sport was behind MotoGP in the fact that more risks are taken and the riders get on with their racing if they get hurt.
“Motorcycle racing is more brutal and down-to-earth,” he said.
“By that I don't mean the technology. The whole environment is more relaxed and closer to the fans. Formula 1 is more detached in its entire attitude. Everything is subordinated to perfection, everything is calculated.
“If a driver sprains his finger, doctors and physios are there straight away, and the whole thing is a huge story. In MotoGP, a rider breaks his shoulder in the morning and, to put it bluntly, is back on his bike in the afternoon. This is how you imagine superstars who, on the one hand, control an infernal machine, but then also grit their teeth when it hurts.
“In Formula 1, the drivers complain when it's too hot like in Qatar. During my time we drove in Rio in 40 degrees and high humidity. And we also had to switch gears by hand. I don't want to say it was harder back then, but it wasn't easier either.
“Of course, there are limits to your willingness to take risks. I was on the Isle of Man last year. I left after a day. That's just too much risk, too much danger. On the other hand, Formula 1 is too far behind in this regard. MotoGP is the golden mean.”
READ MORE: Missed F1 meeting revealed as Andretti VOW to sort entry row
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Will F1 hopeful Antonelli replace Sargeant from Imola?
- 2 minutes ago
F1 News Today: Hamilton dealt major Newey blow as Red Bull chief makes BRUTAL admission
- 56 minutes ago
Schumacher reveals how Mercedes could snare Verstappen
- 1 hour ago
Red Bull chief in BRUTAL putdown of key F1 feature
- 2 hours ago
Cullen relationship blossoms with new star after moving on from Hamilton
- 3 hours ago
Hamilton dealt major Newey blow as shock COMPLICATION revealed
- Today 08:58
Related news
F1 consider sensational MotoGP crossover weekend
The answer to F1's BIGGEST PROBLEM is right under their noses
F1 reacts to Rossi MotoGP retirement
MotoGP: Valentino Rossi avoids potentially lethal accident at Austrian Grand Prix
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860