Gerhard Berger

Gerhard Berger (born 27 August 1959) is an Austrian former Formula One driver and motorsport executive. Over 14 seasons, he won ten Grands Prix and finished third in the drivers' championship twice, in 1988 and 1994, both times with Ferrari. With 210 race starts, he ranks among the most experienced drivers in the sport's history. His first and last victories were also the first and last for the Benetton team, separated by eleven years. He also won races for Ferrari and McLaren. While at McLaren, he drove alongside Ayrton Senna and contributed to the team's constructors' championships. Berger retired with ten wins, 12 pole positions, 21 fastest laps, and 48 podiums.

Berger later returned to Formula One as co-owner of Toro Rosso, selling his 50% stake back to Red Bull at the end of the season.

Born in Wörgl, Austria, Berger worked for his father Johann's truck company before becoming a driver. A multiple winner in European Formula Three, he moved up to Formula One in 1984 with the ATS team. Shortly after his debut, he survived a serious road accident. A week after the 1984 season ended, while driving his BMW 323i near Salzburg, his car was rammed from behind and cartwheeled off a cliff. Not wearing a seatbelt, Berger was thrown through the rear window. The first car on the scene carried two surgeons specialising in back injuries, who recognised his broken neck and damaged back bones and ensured he was not moved until special equipment arrived. After emergency surgery and a hospital stay in Innsbruck, he fully recovered.

He drove a full season for Arrows the following year, but the A8 chassis limited both him and teammate Thierry Boutsen from exploiting the BMW M12 engine's power. Despite some strong drives—including running sixth in France—Berger finished 20th in the championship with three points from the last two races in South Africa and Australia.

Joining Benetnet in 1986, his career took off. The Benetton B186, combined with the BMW turbo engine's 1400 bhp in qualifying and a clever Pirelli tyre strategy, allowed him to win his first Grand Prix in Mexico. He was on course for an easy win at his home race in Austria until a flat battery forced him to pit from a comfortable lead. Berger out-qualified teammate Teo Fabi 12–4 that year, though Fabi took pole at the faster Österreichring and Monza circuits. Berger recorded the season's fastest speed trap, 351.22 km/h at Monza, the highest straight-line speed ever achieved by a turbocharged car in the first turbo era.

During this period, Berger also raced in Group A touring cars for the Schnitzer BMW team, driving a BMW 635 Csi in the European Touring Car Championship. He won the 1985 Spa 24 Hours alongside Italian touring car ace Roberto Ravaglia and fellow Formula One driver Marc Surer. By 1985, Formula One drivers were not permitted to race in other categories within 24 hours of a Grand Prix. At the season-ending Australian Grand Prix in Adelaide, Berger obtained permission from the FIA, FOCA, and Arrows to race in a support Group A event on the Saturday. Driving an ex-Schnitzer BMW 635 CSi for Bob Jane, he qualified second but lasted only three laps before being punted into a gravel trap by John Harvey's Holden Commodore.

For 1987, Berger signed with Ferrari, replacing Stefan Johansson and partnering Michele Alboreto. After early mechanical failures, he came on strongly in the latter half of the season, winning the final two rounds. The Ferrari F1/87, designed by Gustav Brunner with input from ex-McLaren designer John Barnard, brought Ferrari back into contention for race wins. Berger ran a close second to Nigel Mansell in Hungary before retiring. At the Portuguese Grand Prix, he dominated from pole but spun late, finishing second to Alain Prost. He then looked set for a second straight win in Mexico before mechanical problems forced him out while leading. He succeeded at both Suzuka and Adelaide.