The Californian’s own confession...
Scott Speed, the first American on F1`s full time racing grid in thirteen years, is self-centred and arrogant.
That is not the opinion of a daring Grand Prix journalist, but - rather - the 22-year-old Californian`s own confession.
Red Bull-backed Speed, to debut with the energy drink`s junior Toro Rosso team in 2006, told F1 Racing magazine that he is hardly the easiest man in the paddock to deal with.
``I think that, fundamentally, I`m self-centred, I`m arrogant and very competitive,`` he confessed.

``But they`re definitely the reasons I`ve gone so far in racing.``

Although hauled to Europe after winning the famous Red Bull driver search, Speed has not had an easy ride to the grid -- in 2003 he pulled out of the British F3 championship to be treated for serious and painful ulcerative colitis.

Still, some people insist that Speed`s biggest problem is his attitude.

He told the British magazine: ``Yeah, my personality is sure not easy to deal with sometimes.

``But I`ve stopped trying to change it and have realised that the way I am is what makes me so good in racing.``

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