Red Bull is famously known for backing a lot of young drivers and giving them an opportunity in Formula 1. One of the most prominent names amongst these young drivers is Scott Speed. Speed is the last American driver to complete a full Formula 1 season. But when he stepped into Europe, he had a tough time in adapting.
The American was discovered by Red Bull after he won the Red Bull Driver Search program in the US. He moved to England in 2003, backed by Red Bull, and in 2004, he won two Formula Renault championships. Speed finally made his debut in Formula 1 in 2006, where he got to face Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso.
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However, this journey was not easy for Speed at all. He was diagnosed with a case of Ulcerative Colitis in the year 2004, just as he was making headway in the racing world. In the recent episode of the podcast Beyond The Grid, Scott Speed opened up about his difficulties on the road toward Formula 1.
Scott Speed had a difficult time living with Ulcerative Colitis
Speed explained on the podcast how difficult it was for him to move to Europe from his home country. He said, “I had Ulcerative Colitis at the time too, so I had an issue with my digestive system which was super difficult. I basically had to walk around wearing diapers. And so there were lots of challenges there”
He explained that it was very difficult for him to adapt to life in England. Speed believes that it was the main reason why he could not succeed in Europe.
“Ultimately, that’s the major factor of where my time in Europe ends. Because it was too hard for me. The first year I spent in England, which at least everybody spoke English but the personalities are very different, life there is very different,” said Scott Speed
Red Bull had helped Speed with treatment
Scott Speed had said in an earlier interview that he was very lucky because he got access to the best doctors in Europe due to Red Bull’s connection. That helped him immensely on his road toward recovery.
Even though he was told that the worst-case scenario would require him to wear a colostomy bag at all times, Speed managed to control his condition with proper diet and medication.
Since then he has made a good recovery. Speed also signed up with the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America. He helped them raise funds and awareness for digestive diseases.
