Gerhard Shepherd

Biography

ATS, Arrows and Benetton: beginnings

Shining stimulating of the Championship of Europe of Formula 3, Gerhard Berger reaches the Formule 1 during the season 1984 on the second single-seater of the German stable ATS - BMW. For its third GP, he even manages to take down a beautiful 6th place, even if because of a lawful point (ATS had engaged in the beginning only one car with the championship), he is not credited with the final classification with the championship with the world.

In 1985, Gerhard Berger joined the stable Arrows - BMW, where in spite of the weakness of his mounting, it continues to be affirmed like one of the most promising pilots of its generation. Its career takes off finally in 1986 with its arrival in the new stable Benetton - BMW (in the past Toleman). Often able to intercalate itself among the tenors of the championship of the world, it makes profitable the perfect behavior of its gums Pirelli to take down with GP of Mexico the first victory of its career Formulates 1 of them.

First passage at Ferrari

On the orders of Enzo Ferrari, which appreciates its style particularly, Gerhard Berger is recruited in 1987 by the Scuderia Ferrari. Quickly, he affirms himself like the leader of the Italian team, by taking the best on his famous fellow-member Michele Alboreto, all not tying technical bonds priviligiés with John Barnard, the chief technical officer. But because of competitiveness averages of Ferrari, Berger must await the end of season for truly highlighting itself. In Portugal, it stupidly lets escape the victory Alain Prost because of a change of concentration in the last turns, but is essential with authority at the time of the two last sleeves of the season, in Japan and in Australia. These performances allow Berger and Ferrari to tackle the season 1988 in strong position, but it is without counting on the relentless domination of the McLaren - Honda of Senna and Prost, which gain 15 of the 16 sleeves of the season. Following a scenario with bounce, Berger manages to take down the only victory which escapes McLaren, at the time of GP of Italy, in front of a crowd in jubilation. Roof of the symbolic system, this victory occurs only a few days after the death of Enzo Ferrari.

The handing-over flat of the technical payment as from 1989 (abolition of the turbo engines, return to the atmospheric engines), Berger takes into account to be able to hustle McLaren-Honda more regularly. But again, and in spite of the victory at the beginning of season of its new team-member Nigel Mansell, Ferrari appear a little in withdrawal. For Shepherd, all is even quite ready to stop at the time of the first turns of GP of San Marino in Imola in April, when unbalanced by a mechanical rupture (one spoke about a flown away aileron), it draws straight in the fast curve from Tamburello, runs up against the cement wall violently, and remains prisoner of his single-seater in flame. Thanks to the effectiveness of the helps, Berger leaves itself with his accident with minor wounds (burns to the hands, coast broken) and after a rapid convalescence (only 1 missed GP), is able to find the circuits of F1. Proof of its return to the more high level, it gains even with the autumn the GP of Portugal, before announcing its transfer at McLaren-Honda for the following seasons.

At McLaren at the sides of Senna

For Gerhard Shepherd, the arrival at McLaren-Honda is a challenge. It is certainly the insurance to finally control the best car of the plate, but it is especially the risk to chip its reputation in contact with Ayrton Senna, one of the two stars of the Formula 1, and which reigns as a Master within the McLaren team. As envisaged, and in spite of some great hits of glare, in particular in qualifications, Berger suffers from the comparison with the Brazilian pilot and sees themselves quickly reduced to the role of team-member of luxury. While Senna gains two world titles, it must await the GP of Japan 1991 (at the conclusion of its second season at McLaren) to join again finally with the victory. Still should it be announced that this victory is offered to him by Ayrton Senna, dominator before slowing down openly in the last turn. After a third and last season at McLaren during which it is shown a little more with its advantage (with in particular two victories), Berger turns over to Ferrari as from the season 1993.

Return to Ferrari

When it returns to Ferrari, Scuderia is at the bottom of the pit and leaves the one of worst seasons of its history. But as from July 1993, the arrival of Jean Todt makes it possible the Italian team to start her slow rectification. Very affected by the accidents fatal of his friends Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna, Berger continues his career and in July 1994, on the Circuit of Hockenheim in Germany, Berger offers to Ferrari its first success since nearly 4 years. But at the end of 1995, and in spite of a beautiful season, more or less thorough outside by the arrival of Michael Schumacher, it leaves Ferrari to follow its fellow-member Jean Alesi at Benetton-Renault.

End of a career at Benetton

For Alesi as for Shepherd, the passage at Benetton proves to be delicate. Not only the performances are not with go, but environment within the Anglo-Italian team, gavée of success with Schumacher, quickly becomes very tended as the disappointing results are connected. At the beginning of 1997, very affected by the death of his/her father, and decreased by a tough sinusitis, it owes even a time to yield the wheel to its compatriot Alexander Wurz. After three GP of absence, many observers speculate in the chances to re-examine one Berger day in race, and some wonder whether its sick leave would not dissimulate a setting with the early withdrawal. Gerhard makes conceal all the rumors by carrying out a return gaining at the time of the GP of Germany. Author of the pole-position, it dominates the debates from beginning to end to sign one moving victory. It is the last blow of glare of the Austrian veteran, who announces his departure with the retirement at the end of the year.

New responsibilities: BMW then Toro Rosso

At the conclusion of her career of pilot, Gerhard Berger does not remain a long time inactive. At the end of 1998, it is named with the general surprise director of the competition at BMW Motorsport. The primary goal (victory with the 24 hours of Mans) is reached in June 1999. Then, as from 2000, Berger directs with success the return of BMW Formulates 1 of them, in partnership with the stable Williams. But at the beginning of 2003, Berger announces his departure (effective a few months later) from BMW. If the Austrian old driver gives a report of private reasons and in particular on his will to benefit from his family, some also see in this decision the result of its dissensions with Mario Theissen, the chief technical officer of BMW.

Always regularly present on the circuits, Gerhard Berger finds a decisional role at the beginning of 2006, with her repurchase to a total value of 50% of the stable Toro Rosso (hitherto single property of Dietrich Mateschitz, the founder of the mark Red Bull)

Victories in Championship of the world of Formula 1

See too

Pilot of Formula 1: classification by better Pilot turns
of Formula 1: classification by Pilot podiums
of Formula 1: classification by Pilot poles position
of Formula 1: classification by Pilot victories
of Formula 1: classification by hat tricks

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