Young American Impressive at Red Bull Driver Search

Red Bull Gmbh, the energy drink maker and inventor of the Red Bull F1 Driver Search Program in the US may be getting what they have paid so much for. With the Red Bull Driver Search Semi-Final round being held in Sebring, FL this past week, a young US driver has given Red Bull Racing a another reason to smile. The Lad did a clean sweep, winning every race on the schedule of events. He not only swept the days races but set the fastest twenty-seven laps before another drivers name came up.

A Red Bull Driver Search principle in the US that wished to remain anonymous said where has this kid been, where has he been racing, hell where is he from? Well after looking into last year’s results he was there, with Red Bull Racing all along. Casey Neal was the only participant in the 2004 Driver Search Semi-Final with no car racing experience; he ended up sixth fastest in the final race. After doing a bit more research we found that he had been basically overlooked for some kids with better-known names that ended up not making it. Now here he is back again. He commented we obviously dropped the cookie on this one.

When asked about Casey Neal’s performance, Herrmann Mertes of F1 Racing Network stated, we have scouted every Red Bull Driver Search Driver that has come to this side of the pond. I spoke just this morning with my contacts in Florida about this year Semi-Finalists. They told me that after being extremely fast and confidant, the young American possesses a very aggressive, intimidating style of racing. US drivers lack this racing trait or ability when they come to Europe. It is something that can’t be taught, it has to be natural - Hence they don’t make the grade over here. The young Red Bull driver hails a stone throw from Nicky Hayden of Moto GP fame - maybe there is something in the water from that area.

He also said it seems Red Bulls advantage in not having to deal with paid drivers is paying off handsomely as well. They actually get to choose their drivers based on talent and ability not someone sponsor list. Their 2002 driver search winner Scott Speed is slated to be driving the 1st Minardi next year with Neel Jani driving the 2nd car. Red Bull has been very happy with Speed; they just exercised their contract option on him for the 2006 racing season. It was rumored around that Williams was interested in him as well. Now maybe, the Red Bull team will have another driver in the youngster Neal to join the Junior Racing Team, which can compete with the Europeans, we will see.

Individual Performance Research
Ian Hutchinson

Posted to Go Cart News by Motorsports Blog