This week’s episode of Formula 1’s Beyond The Grid podcast sees former American F1 driver Scott Speed join host Tom Clarkson to talk about his motorsport journey, his time in the sport, his advice to the new generation of drivers and much more.
Speed explains how his love of motorsport came from his father’s infectious passion for racing, as he watched him win titles in go-karts, and how that fed into his dream of wanting to be in Formula 1, before he reveals why he thought he was naturally gifted growing up.
He also explains how he ended up being a part of Red Bull, the “absurd” nature of the contract, his relationship with Helmut Marko, how the team was ahead of its time, and how he owes his whole racing career to the Milton Keynes-based outfit.
The former Toro Rosso driver also speaks very candidly about struggling to adapt to life in Europe, his lack of motivation to keep getting better in Formula 1, as well as his “super cocky and arrogant” attitude. He also explains how he received a wake-up call upon returning to race in America.
Speed also discusses what happened at the Australian Grand Prix in 2006 with David Coulthard that caused him to swear at the Scot in the drivers’ briefing, and how that incident gave him an insight into the cut-throat nature of the sport.