Congratulations Gerhard Berger!
08/27/2019
Today you, my long-time friend and companion Gerhard Berger, are celebrating your 60th birthday. I was lucky enough to experience almost your entire career. Only your first race in the black Ford Escort passed me by. But then I saw you, still from the spectator area, live in the Alfasud and later with the camera in Formula 3.
Your victory in the 24-hour race at Spa in 1985 in the Schnitzer BMW 635 CSi opened the door to my pictures in neighboring Austria.
Your first Formula 1 race in Zeltweg in 1984 in the ATS BMW Turbo remains just as unforgettable to me as the countless stories I was allowed to photograph with you. For example, the interview in the Shinkansen (high-speed train in Japan) from Nagoya to Tokyo, or the big search for a dentist for you in New York.
I was also able to experience the last race of a V12 engine up close with you. Later, you became my client at BMW together with Dr. Mario Theissen and I have remained loyal to the Bavarian brand to this day.
I was also a guest at your home several times and we always had a lot to laugh about. Nothing has changed to this day, except that we ended up in the DTM together and occasionally have a coffee together, which is the best at your place, because you personally made sure of that.
Last Sunday at the Euro Speedway, you told me that your mobile phone would remain switched off for the whole week to avoid the onslaught of well-wishers, because I know that the six is causing you some concern. The fact that we are both celebrating our births on the same day unites us even more, and as I also know that you are a loyal reader of "zwischengas", I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a very happy birthday.
Dear Gerhard, I wish you continued good health, lots of success in the future and stay as you are!
