Name and nationality a help?
Scott Speed is making his F1 debut in 2006 because he has a cool name, a convenient nationality, and a certain energy drink-backer.
That is the claim of Nelson Piquet Jr, the GP2 driver who has missed out on a F1 opportunity this year despite rivals Speed, Nico Rosberg and Heikki Kovalainen all making the coveted step.
23-year-old Speed, from California, will debut for his sponsor Red Bull`s junior Scuderia Toro Rosso team in 2006.
But Piquet told Speed TV: "Speed got in more because he`s American and his last name is `Speed`, than for what he did on the track."
Speed finished third in the championship while Piquet was just eighth.

Piquet`s father said recently that, despite some contact with Formula One teams and tests for Williams and BAR, `Nelsinho` must win the junior GP2 title in order to truly woo the circus` fraternity.

The 20-year-old, who struggled in the category last year and will return in 2006, agreed: "I`m completely focused on having a perfect year to earn my way into (F1). Without being at least second in the championship," the Brazilian added, "that will be very difficult."

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