---
title: "“Perfect” F1 criticised by Berger"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2016/01/21/perfect-f1-criticised-berger/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Kyran Gibbons"
section: "F1 News"
published: "2016-01-21T17:06:54Z"
modified: "2016-01-21T17:07:28Z"
---

# “Perfect” F1 criticised by Berger

The conversation this winter regarding F1 has centered around the topic of entertainment and how the sport can return to its spellbinding best. Gerhard Berger has been the latest high-profile figure to express his opinions, suggesting that the sport is simply “too perfect”.

With F1 being at the forefront of technology, engineers have increasing amounts of data to process. Telemetry and knowledge has greatly reduced the numbers of errors made, both in strategic terms and also in regards to mechanical reliability in the modern era of racing.

This has led to arguably more predictable races and with Mercedes claiming 86 percent of the points available in 2015, their dominance does somewhat support the assertion.

While it could be argued that the similarly spectacular McLaren MP4/4 of 1988, which scooped 15 of a possible 16 race victories marked another era of predictability, Berger has cited reasons for why entertainment was not in short supply during this period.

“Firstly, the fans were still entertained by the driving spectacle,” he argued in an [interview with Auto Motor Und Sport](https://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/formel-1/gerhard-berger-im-interview-10384452.html). “Secondly, the races were more unpredictable back then, because there were so many failures, or because there were so many mistakes. Who runs out of fuel nowadays? The sport is now so perfect that dominance affects the entertainment value more.”

“Thirdly, mistakes were punished. If you were too fast you ended up in the gravel. Today, this is prevented by huge run-off areas. You can return to track, usually without losing a place. It is too polished, too controlled, too nice and too over-regulated.”

Berger, who claimed 10 race victories during a 13 year career is known for being an outspoken member of the F1 paddock. His views add to the growing melting pot of opinions regarding whether the sport needs to reinvent itself in order to have an entertaining future.