AUGUST 5, 1996

Berger in trouble in Austria

IT has not been Gerhard Berger's year. He ran into legal trouble in Australia in the Spring over allegations of sexual misconduct; he has struggled to be competitive with Benetton; he was only three laps away from winning the German GP when his engine blew up - and then when he flew to Salzburg on Sunday night his private jet was seized by Austrian tax authorities.

The authorities believe that Berger has not paid all the necessary taxes on the plane. Berger denies the allegations, arguing that he is a Monaco resident and pays his taxes there.