Berger is driving force at Benetton

The enduring optimism within the Benetton-Renault camp, or at least that sustained by their irrepressible boss, has encouraged them to look on the bright side of life all through a difficult season. Over the weekend here, Flavio Briatore was proclaiming: "If we can't be world champions for racing this year, we are for our pasta."

Few would challenge him on that score. By the end of the German Grand Prix, however, motor racing was securely back on the menu. But for an engine failure less than three laps from the end, Gerhard Berger would almost certainly have served up the team's first win since Michael Schumacher departed to that other Italian establishment.

Benetton are resigned to losing their drivers' and constructors' titles to Williams-Renault, yet would be hugely consoled if they beat Schumacher and Ferrari. Jean Alesi's second place on Sunday lifted him above the reigning champion and into third place in the drivers' standings, and the team nine points clear of Ferrari.

The immediate post-Schumacher period was even more problematical than anyone at Benetton had envisaged: Alesi and Berger took time to settle in the new environment, the team took time to come to terms with their loss.

Although the drivers had two-year contracts, both were said, at various stages, to be in danger of losing their jobs. Briatore insisted he wanted stability and continuity rather than more change, and gradually the drivers responded. Alesi, mercurial and emotional, suddenly found the self-discipline and consistency to assert himself.

For Berger, the process was longer and more frustrating. He was not at ease with the capricious car, and it showed. Then came Silverstone and the weekend when, Briatore contends, "Gerhard woke up". A solid second place restored his belief.

Disappointing as the Hockenheim race was, Benetton had cause for satisfaction. "Breakages are part of Formula One and it was our turn here," Briatore said, "but Gerhard has demonstrated that our team has resolved the numerous problems and we can at last aim for victory."

Berger's dismay was shared by many within the Formula One community. This most experienced, respected and popular of current drivers last won a grand prix two years ago on this circuit, and some of his close associates have expressed the wish that Berger would call it a day. The Austrian, almost 37, has never won the championship but has acquired considerable wealth from the sport and knows better than anyone he has had his share of lucky escapes. Now he also sees the prospect of adding to his nine victories, and possibly even competing for the championship next year.

"I have the feeling that this last week had completed our rise and a victory would have crowned all the hard work of the team to overcome a difficult situation," Berger said. "But at least we have proved we can be competitive, and for me it is an important step. I have said all along that I had no real confidence in the car to start with. At the beginning of the year it was zero. Before this race it was up to 50 per cent. Now it can keep going up."