Retired Berger too content to consider F1 return

"I enjoy having the free time"

By GMM

29 December 2011 - 09:28
Retired Berger too content to consider

Gerhard Berger insists he is too content in his retirement to consider options to return full-time to premier motor racing.

After hanging up his helmet in 1997, the ten-time grand prix winner served as BMW’s joint motor sport director before buying half of the Toro Rosso team.

With those adventures over, the 52-year-old recently denied reports he is set to buy the GP2 team Super Nova or replace Eric Boullier as Lotus’ F1 team principal.

His latest role is as the president of the FIA’s single seater commission, triggering rumours Austrian Berger might have designs to succeed Jean Todt.

"It’s very simple," the former McLaren and Ferrari driver told broadcaster ORF.

"I would say that one half (of the rumours) is speculation, the other half are requests, but I decided to retire because I enjoy having the free time.

"Of course I am still interested and of course I am here and there, but I am finished with getting on the plane or on the road all the time and living formula one 24 hours a day.

"I never rule anything out but I think it (returning) would be a very difficult decision for me," said Berger.

He said he decided to head the FIA single-seater panel because his former Ferrari boss Todt asked him specifically.

"So I said ’Ok, I’ll help you out and pass on my experience’."

As for replacing Todt as the Paris federation’s president, Berger insisted: "That’s not for me."

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