Allen Berg

Allen Bernard Berg (born 1 August 1961) is a Canadian former racing driver and current racing school operator who competed in Formula One and achieved success in various international racing categories. Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Berg came from a motorsport family—his father was a drag racer, which influenced his early interest in racing. He began racing karts in Alberta in 1978, demonstrating natural talent from the start. Berg switched to cars when he was 20, moving into Formula Atlantic, and quickly established himself as a rising talent.

He finished second to Scott Goodyear in Canadian Formula Ford in 1981, then moved up to Formula Atlantic in 1982, winning the rookie of the year award. In 1982, Berg won the prestigious Tasman Formula Pacific Series in Australia and New Zealand, defeating strong international competition and establishing his credentials on the world stage. He entered the British Formula 3 series in 1983, finishing fifth in his first season. Berg's breakthrough came in 1984 when he finished runner-up to Johnny Dumfries in the British Formula Three championship, consistently challenging for victories and demonstrating his readiness for Formula One.

Berg's Formula One opportunity came with the Osella team during the 1986 season. After spending 1985 in Canada earning funds to support his racing career, Berg was given a chance to race for Osella for the remaining races after Christian Danner moved to the Arrows team. He participated in nine races before his sponsorship ran out and he missed the Italian Grand Prix, ending his Formula One career. Driving the uncompetitive Osella-Alfa Romeo, Berg scored no points, but gained valuable experience competing at motorsport's highest level.

He had advanced discussions with several Formula One teams to continue in 1987, including Larrousse, but with the cancellation of the Canadian Grand Prix that season, he could not raise sufficient sponsorship and was unable to secure a drive, ending his Formula One ambitions. Following his Formula One career, Berg competed in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft in 1991, driving a privateer BMW M3 in Germany's premier touring car championship. He then found success on the Mexican racing scene, winning the Mexican Formula 2 championship in 1993, demonstrating his continued competitiveness. Berg also won the Indy Lights Panamericana title in 2001 as a driver-owner, achieving success in North American open-wheel racing before retiring from professional driving.

Since retiring from competition, Berg has operated Allen Berg Racing Schools, primarily based at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California. His racing schools provide driving experiences in formula racing cars, allowing students to learn racecraft and car control from a driver with international Formula One experience. Berg was inducted into the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame, recognizing his achievements as one of Canada's most successful international racing drivers. His career exemplifies the challenges faced by talented drivers from smaller racing nations in securing and maintaining Formula One opportunities during the 1980s, when commercial considerations increasingly determined driver selection.