Oh Gerhard -- Ye had us fooled

[Boro]

Originally Posted by JeremySmith

I believe that F1 needs an American driver, it is good for the sport no?

if it ain't dale, it don't matter

[JohnSSC]

Well, it could matter.

Despite the hopefully tongue-in-cheek "comments" about how diverse the driving crowd should be (and I do hope they were tongue-in-cheek - if they were not they are in stunningly in poor taste) let's look at this a bit.

America, for all of it's faults, does have an F1 traditon. Now, I know some want to bang on here about America this and America that. I would prefer that we separate what nations do as political entities from what the individual citizens may do in the world. I mean really, were we to lift the skirts of every nation and peer underneath, one could find many things that are shameful, embarassing or tawdry.

Anyway, F1 has, as perhaps it's last nut to crack, the American market. Europe is covered, Asia is growing and (not to downplay the continent of Africa) the North American market is the last big economic engine that F1 has not really succeeded in. Hence, Red Bull ended up fronting the program to get an American into F1. This resulted in Scott Speed getting there. To be fair to him, his lower formula results were not overwhelming but they were not embarassing either. When you consider the talent pool is significantly diminished by the # of drivers who go to NASCAR (and why not? Big paycheck, lots of teams, it is a good opportunity) you do end up with a Scott Speed. But, you have to start somewhere. Perhaps having Speed in F1 will begin to build an awareness in the US that F1 is at least a possibility. Drivers in NASCAR such as Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart had the talent but not the opportunity to go F1 as the open wheel opportunities weren't here. NASCAR afforded them the chance to race now and for big $$. They are not sellouts to me, simply pragmatic.

Hopefully, testing young drivers like Marco Andretti will result in (hopefully) getting a driver from the US who is up a notch or two from your basic midpack F1 driver (Speed, Liuzzi, Monteiro and the like) and could possibly land with a better team. Results will garner attention and hopefully grow the awareness of F1 in the average racing fan's mind here.

It would be foolish from an economic standpoint for F1 to miss out on courting a market that has $300 million people with credit limit to burn.

[TWRv12]

Originally Posted by JeremySmith

what is it about Scott Speed that some of you guys do not like?

No Speed

[marcel82]

Originally Posted by Notso Swift

Yep, I think so. I think we also need a black guy (got that ticked) a woman, some one who is gay, and someone who is from a genuinely poor background.
THe only one I don't think I will see in my life is the last one

the only drivers we need, are good ones.
they can be whatever they feel like being, as long as they know how to turn a wheel.

[BootsOntheSide]

I think Leighton means that there has been a lesbian driver in F1. [Off-topic, but 'gay' in that context was short for 'good as you', a slogan used by the liberation movement in the UK, and has nothing to do with the stereotyped mannerisms of gay men].

Scott showed in GP2 that he has some talent, but he looked very ragged last year, and his arrogant attitude came across quite badly. I'm not sure there's a nationality element to it, but he fit every negative stereotype people have about the USA. I'll give him until mid-season to prove himself.

[Davhut]

How about a Lesbian Kalahari Bushwoman?

I'm wondering how they would fit a helmet over all the belongings on top of their head?

Worldwide perception of Americans isn't that great is it!

And let's try to separate the people from the politics, slick. A huge majority of us didn't want any of this "world domination" stuff. We're just trying to live our lives like anyone else and get by.

[Knowlesy]

We are heading wildy in the wrong direction here.

[Davhut]

Computer weirdness this AM, sorry.

[Bononi]

As I said before, what difference makes ? It's not a physical condition to prevent them from running, or a plus talent (hopefully not) to make it better.

Bernie & Co. always dreamed about F1 being big in America, sounds like a movie but that's the way it is. The main obstacle is that motorsport in america is a world apart itself and the crowds are used to it, and ultimately it seems that the powers that be in motorsport aren't interest in a rival series in the sense of popularity. Well just IMHO.

[Leighton Irwin]

Boots: Yes you are right.
John: good post.

[Down F0rce]

Scott Speed confirmed.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/56927

[Gt_R]

It is not really surprising. Gerhard has been open about the issue with Speed. It's not so much that STR wanted another driver and try to rid Speed, but more of trying to get assurance from Speed that he will commit, in improving himself. Fair.

[Bluewolf]

Well Speed just ran the quickest laps of either driver so far in the new car -- but -- this car was so late in coming, I wonder if they may actually lost ground compared to last year. They look pretty slow even with the Ferrari ----- Oh well -- at least they still have some time to sort things out.

[JeremySmith]

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

We are heading wildy in the wrong direction here.

So are we ..but we know best

[mp356a]

I have read that Speed is arrogant but every single interview I've seen says otherwise. He seemed refreshingly honest without whining about the car actually. I've seen far worse from TGF in interviews.
Considering the health issues he has overcome, his commitment to the sport cannot really be questioned.
Is he fast enough? Time will tell. I've seen slower drivers. I hope this is a good year (with a good car) for him.
Casting aspersions on the guy because you wanted "your" favorite driver to get a ride first is childish.

[Bononi]

That's why drivers are usually much better racing than speaking...

[JeremySmith]

Originally Posted by mp356a

I have read that Speed is arrogant but every single interview I've seen says otherwise. He seemed refreshingly honest without whining about the car actually. I've seen far worse from TGF in interviews.
Considering the health issues he has overcome, his commitment to the sport cannot really be questioned.
Is he fast enough? Time will tell. I've seen slower drivers. I hope this is a good year (with a good car) for him.
Casting aspersions on the guy because you wanted "your" favorite driver to get a ride first is childish.

That is the way I see it also with Scott Speed...

[Born Racer]

He didn't look that bad against Liuzzi who you'd expect to be decent- karting star, F3000 champion.