Former F1 driver Berger thinks Ricciardo is world champion calibre

Former Formula One driver Gerhard Berger says he believes Red Bull racer Daniel Ricciardo has the goods to win the world championship.

Australian Formula One driver Daniel Ricciardo (R) and third-placed German driver Sebastian Vettel (L) after the Canadian Grand Prix. Ricciardo won the race, and former star Gerhard Berger says he believes the Aussie is world championship material. EPA/Andre Pichette
Australian Formula One driver Daniel Ricciardo (R) and third-placed German driver Sebastian Vettel (L) after the Canadian Grand Prix. Ricciardo won the race, and former star Gerhard Berger says he believes the Aussie is world championship material. EPA/Andre Pichette

Matthias Jung

"He hasn't made any mistakes this season," said the Austrian Berger, ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix on June 22.

"This is a new star. If the car were to fit right, he could become world champion."

Ricciardo heads into the F1 stop in Spielberg having won the Canadian Grand Prix last weekend - the Australian's first F1 victory.

The 24-year-old is currently ranked third in the driver's standings with 79 points - behind the Mercedes duo of Nico Rosberg (140) and Lewis Hamilton (118). Ricciardo's teammate, the four-time reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel, is fifth with 60 points.

"We know how fast and good Vettel is. But Ricciardo is the benchmark at the moment - and that in a very likeable manner," Berger said.

Ricciardo finished third at the Spanish and Monaco Grand Prix races after having taken fourth place in Malaysia and Bahrain. He actually finished the season-opening Australian Grand Prix second but was disqualified for using too much fuel.