Gerhard Berger has scoffed at suggestions that Lewis Hamilton could win the French Grand Prix.
Formula 1 veteran and current DTM promoter Berger has bluntly written off any chance of Hamilton taking victory at Paul Ricard.
With Mercedes’ W13 finding performance as the season wears on, the ultra-smooth surface of the French GP venue could play to the strengths of the recalcitrant car and allow Hamilton and George Russell to join in the fight with pacesetters Red Bull and Ferrari.
Appearing on the F1 Nation podcast, Berger joined hosts Damon Hill and Tom Clarkson to discuss the chances of Mercedes fighting at the front this weekend after both Russell and Hamilton showed immense pace in practice and early in qualifying for the Austrian Grand Prix.
“I wouldn’t go that far,” the Austrian replied when asked about the possibility.
“The Mercedes hasn’t worked really well anywhere this year. It could be maybe a bit better, but I don’t think it will go so much in this direction that they suddenly will play a role to win the race.”
Berger did suggest Mercedes could show a little more pace than they have in general this season, with Toto Wolff suggesting after Austria that Mercedes have halved the pace deficit to the front-running cars since the start of the year.
“Paul Ricard has always been a little bit different. It’s very smooth,” the Austrian said.
“It’s a very different style of circuit. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Mercedes works a bit better there, it’s very flat. But in general, it will be again a fight between Red Bull and Ferrari.”
With conversation switching to predicting the top three finishers at the 12th round of the 2022 season, Clarkson and Hill both suggested Mercedes could be the team to beat.
“I think Mercedes will let rip this weekend and be really impressive,” Clarkson said.
“We will see Lewis Hamilton back to his best. Can you imagine if we had Hamilton, [Max] Verstappen and [Charles] Leclerc all going for the win?”
Hill said circumstances of a collision or incident could turn the order of the race upside down, but also put Hamilton forward as his race winner.
“Maybe, even on pure pace, Mercedes spring a surprise,” the 1996 F1 World Champion said.
“Because I think, in race trim, Lewis has been, on occasions, very quick. It could even be Lewis in first, George in second and Carlos Sainz in third. How about that?”
Berger, well known for his straightforward nature and willingness to play pranks…
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