Scott Speed: Quick With The Lip
Written by George Katinger · April 8, 2006
Scott Speed’s loss of his first F1 championship point and fining by the FIA stewards after the Melbourne race is common knowledge. What may be new is his vow to continue to “defend” his position.
gp2006.com: You have to speak up for yourself says Speed
grandprix.com: Speed butts heads with FIA
insidebayarea.com: U.S.’s hope in F-1, Speed shows fire
shns.com: Speed aiming for Formula One excellence
And what position is he referring to? From autosport.com:
“I’m the American out there,” Speed said. “My mom taught me not to get into fights, but I’ve got to stand up. I won’t take shit from no one.
While I fully endorse his right to defend himself on and off track, I would recommend a bit of restraint in the manner he chooses to protect his self perceived position. I support the idea that rookies (in any endeavor) should let their accomplishments speak for themselves, and if publicly confronted back their positions with an attitude of resilient respect. Telling any one to “F__k off” is irresponsible, especially for a rookie. What has not been published has been what caused the brash retort. I would love to know the context of the remark. Maybe, just maybe it was a fitting response?
Let’s compare how Nico Rosberg reacted to the overwhelming criticism he received for nearly riding teammate Mark Webber into the rail at the start of the Melbourne GP. He rather demurely agreed with the observation that his defensive maneuver was not only wrong, considering it was his teammate, but probably was the cause for Alonso slipping around the outside of both Williams cars. I realize that taking objective criticism from your team is not the same as verbally battling an opponent. But it’s the attitude that’s important.
So in the future Scott, please argue and defend to your hearts content, but leave the profanity aside. People generally don’t care for that shit!
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Just when we thought the steriotypes of Americans in Formula One were going to come to an end…
“My mom taught me not to get into fights, but I’ve got to stand up.”
Hmmm… wonder why the change? If he had that attitude when at the wheel of his A1GP ride he may not have stuck up the joint.
Maybe he learned being “passive” isn’t the winning approach.
Or more likely it’s the larger paycheck talking.
Who really cares if he cursed? He doesn’t have to leave it out - same as you leaving it in w/ your inane whining about it.
Hey Spyderman, F__K off! How’s it feel??
As the self proclaimed (and media proclaimed) American “prescence” in F1, I support his right to fight for what he believes is his right to defend his actions. He does not have the right to perpetuate the “ugly American” syndrome the rest of the world sometimes believes is our nature.
And before he tells an established winner in a sport he is just entering anything remotely profane, show us something on the track first. Maybe he will have more credibiity that way.
Damn foreign drivers!!! American drivers should race in America in Indy, Champ or Nascar & stay the hell out of F1.
Rookies in any sport should show respect & humility as they learn their craft. I’ve seen just as many foreign drivers go beserk as Americans…It’s not a nationality thing….Class does garner more respect though!
Actually Cruiser, I was yanking the chain of this story’s writer.
Regarding Speed, here the link to a balanced, lengthy opinion I gave on him well before the season started http://www.fastmachines.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=283
Personally I think the whole DC thing has been blown out of propotion, although Speed would be well advised to let his driving do the talking for the time being.
Scott Speed’s mouth, Alonso’s silly jestures,
oh my god, F1 is becoming NASCAR
“Damn foreign drivers!!! American drivers should race in America in Indy, Champ or Nascar & stay the hell out of F1.”
Nationality has nothing to do with this. For the Americans on this board, when you’re walking in the airport and you see a man from the middle-east with a turban on his head, what comes to mind first? I don’t care how good willed you are, it has happened to everyone. That thought is wrong, but it is our job to not say or act any differently to that person, may he be Indian, African or whatever.
Each racecar driver is an individual person. Just because there may be two Japanese drivers in F1, doesn’t mean they act the same or drive the same because they’re from the same country.
Scott Speed re-enforced the stereotype that most (if not all) European fans, drivers and teams hold. I’m not going to let one bad apple spoil the whole batch, because there are hundreds of American drivers who deserve a chance in Formula One.
DJ I think you know me well enough to know when I’m joking, my gag at American drivers being “foreign” was a ironic jab (possibly a bad one) directed at the many debates that this forum has had regarding “furriners” racing in the States.
For what it’s worth I think the whole Speed vs DC thing will be lost in the chatter in a day or so. Has Speed portrayed himself as a “ugly American”, no not really, he has just shot his mouth off without thinking, I have not read anything in the media or on the web where nationality has come into it. Speed won’t be the first or last rookie to let his emotions run high, if any bad publicity comes from this it will be directed at Speed not the nation of his birth.
Sure Peter, let’s see you back talk your way out of this one. We’ve had our suspicions about you on this very topic and lo and behold, here you go again! Tsk, tsk, tsk.
aahh George, you have shown me the error of my ways, AGAIN, I appear before you remorseful & contrite.
I’m sorry I didn’t pick up it was a joke, but it is quite a ‘touchy’ subject. I’ve talked to alot of American drivers that raced in Europe and they said it wasn’t pretty. Especially in the Formula Renault stage of that drivers career. That driver, Jason Workman, is also my own driving coach. He’s been preparing me so I know what to expect if/when I race in Europe.
The bottom line is if you want to be respected by the Europeans, you have to win out of the gate.
Speed has a lot to learn and being the cocky newcomer who isn’t even very competitive isn’t going to get him where he wants to be.
I just want to know where the fines for DC were everytime he made a rude hand gesture on live TV? There was a time a few years ago that he managed three of them in a row.
I’m not saying Speed is right for shooting his mouth off, let’s just have a bit of continuity of fines for profanity. Or, no fines at all. Seems kind of silly to fine someone for swearing. But, then again I work in television and we all cuss like sailors. (behind the scenes, not on the air… mostly.)
What I find peculiar in the entire episode is that the comment was dropped in a closed door discussion between the drivers and the wanker FIA officials. The only people who heard it were the parties to the conversation. I guess the FIA officials have been schooled by His High and Mighty Highness Sir Max.
Why any tolerance is not shown to two drivers on opposite sides of a driving disagreement, behind closed doors, is surprising. Ultimately I blame the overly sensitive wanker FIA stewards for fining him and publishing the fine and infraction.
Excessive use of “wanker?” I think not!
Let Em race,,let Em cuss,,
Remove the emotions from the sport,,and You’ll have open wheeled NASCAR,,
Go SCOTT!!
Speed was clearly in the wrong, but I’m just wondering what DC said to provoke the outburst. DC seems to be getting grumpier and grumpier lately.
By the way - excellent site
The thought of JPM potentially coming to Red Bull must have old DC in a real tizzy!
Or the latest Schuey rumor is Red Bull would love to have him, and THAT would end DC’s career for sure.
If the stereotype of Americans is brash, driven, and edgy; then THANK YOU, we’ll take that stereotype.
We’re less refined here across the pond, and proud of it. BTW..your welcome for ww1,ww11, the cold war and of course whenever you need us, we’ll be here for you.
Raw emotions, raw expressions a cocky, optimistic attitude….that’s the “Ugly American”??? True, Americans DNA includes a never quit, can do attitude. However, I can list many non-American drivers in our American Indy and Champ Car series that possess similar attitudes. Scott’s young and he’s learning….but don’t pull the “Ugly American” card out..by doing so you make yourself the “Ugly European”