"We will be instantly better" - Scott Speed talks GRC 2015

After talking about his stunning Formula E début last weekend, for part two of out Scott Speed feature sees attention turn to the Californian's 'day job': Racing in Red Bull Global Rallycross.



Last season, in his first season with Andretti Autosport, Speed came ever so close to winning the title. Taking a series-high three wins, the 7UP backed driver ultimately finished third in the final championship standings.

This year he's back for another crack at the title and with the Polo he campaigned for most of last year now a distant memory, the former F1 and NASCAR star believes he's well set up for a strong season.

"The Polo was a 'rental car' in the beginning, nowhere near the same calibre race car as the Beetle," he says. "There's no question that we're going to be instantly better."

Despite the confidence though, Speed is quick to point out that campaigning the 2015 season will be by no means an easy task.

"There's also a lot more competition this year, so everything will be raised," Speed adds. "I think it'll be a very similar series as we had last year, just more competition. This year there's so many new teams and drivers it's impossible to tell (who will be on top). We'll know after the first race."

As well as new teams and drivers, there are also a host of new events, with locations such as a Military base, Detroit and the season opener in St. Petersburg helping the calendar to swell to 13 events this year.

Even though there are additional rounds, Speed believes that more races will pose little in the way of a challenge, despite the hard-hitting nature of rallycross competition.

"I think it'll be a very similar series as we had last year, just more competition."

Last season might have ended in November but Speed and the rest of the Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross team have not been sitting around during the winter. They've continued to develop their car to ensure they're in the best possible shape for when the season kicks off in St. Petersburg on May 31.

This year Andretti wont be the only IndyCar team in Red Bull Global Rallycross either, with Chip Ganassi Racing announcing a programme using M-Sport's ultra-competitive Ford Fiesta ST.

Read part one of this feature, "It was a great situation" - Scott Speed on his Formula E debut, HERE

 

Scott Speed interview - Part Two

Dominik Wilde: Now moving onto Global Rallycross, you're going to have the one car this year (the Beetle) from start to finish. But you had a great start last year with the Polo, winning a couple of races, but with the stability of having the same car throughout, what kind of position does that put you, the team, Tanner (Foust) even? Does it put you in a much better position this year. 

Scott Speed: Oh I think absolutely. The Polo was a 'rental car' in the beginning, nowhere near the same calibre race car as the Beetle so there's no question that we're going to be instantly better. but that being said, there's also a lot more competition this year, so everything will be raised, but no question that we will be instantly better.


Dominik Wilde: And another thing there will be more of is events, there's two more, three if you count X Games, so how much more difficult will 2015 be in that respect, having more events on the calendar?

Scott Speed: I'm not sure. I don't think it's going to change so much. I think it'll be a very similar series as we had last year, just more competition.


Dominik Wilde: Last year there was a four-way title battle at the end of the season, it's one of the most competitive series on the planet. I'm going to put you on the spot here: Excluding your team mate Tanner Foust, if you were to choose one guy who would be your biggest threat to the title this year, who would you say it would be?

Scott Speed: Honestly, I've no idea. it's way too early to tell. Last year I predicted that it would be Nelson (Piquet Jr.) I was battling for points and if it wasn't for a bunch of unlucky failures for both of us, that would (have been the case). This year there's so many new teams and drivers it's impossible to tell. We'll know after the first race.








Images: Red Bull Content Pool, Alison Padron, Garth Milan