Manteca's Speed Takes 13th in Formula One Debut

Manteca's Speed, Former Russell Racing School Star, 

Places 13th in Formula One Debut

 

SONOMA, Calif.  - Manteca native Scott Speed posted
an impressive 13th-place finish in his Formula One debut on Sunday
driving for Scuderia Toro Rosso (Italian for Red Bull). Speed became the
American to start a Formula One race since Michael Andretti in 1993.

 

Speed qualified 16th for the Formula One season-opener and managed to
improve by three spots in the 57-lap feature, which was won by Fernando
Alonzo (Renault). Speed began his open-wheel racing career at the Jim
Russell Racing School, which is based at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma. 

 

            "I'm pleased to have got through the checkered flag in my
first Grand Prix without making any mistakes," said Speed, who was
discovered at Infineon Raceway in 2003 at the Red Bull Formula One
Driver Search by legendary driver Danny Sullivan, also a Jim Russell
Racing School graduate. "The balance of my car was not quite right
during our first stint, but we were able to fix that at the first pit
stop. After that, I think our pace improved and it was good."

 

            The most excitement for Speed came at the start of the race
when he just missed getting tangled up with Williams' Nico Rosberg on
the first turn. Teammate Vitantonio Liuzzi placed 11th for Scuderia Toro
Rosso. Speed returns to action this weekend (March 17-19) in the second
round of the Formula One season at the Malaysian Grand Prix.

 

Race fans will get their first glimpse of Speed on American soil in F1
competition at the United States Grand Prix in Indianapolis, July 2.