cameraman
10-17-05, 05:10 PM
For Immediate Release
From the Offices of Maxim Sports Management
Red Bull Driver Search Achieves Success and Formally Concludes
New York, NY (17 October 05) - It took just four short years for the Red Bull Driver Search to successfully place an American driver at the pinnacle of world motorsport, Formula 1. Next season, 2002 Red Bull Driver Search winner, Scott Speed will take his seat in Formula 1 with one of Red Bull�s Formula 1 Teams, Red Bull Racing or Squadra Toro Rosso.
With its primary goal complete, the Driver Search will not continue to operate in its current format for 2006. We will not conduct a formal or organized Search, but Red Bull will continue to monitor upcoming American racing talent. Current Driver Search graduates, Scott Speed, Colin Fleming and John Edwards, will continue to be supported by Red Bull as they pursue their dreams of Formula 1.
Since its inception in 2002, the Red Bull Driver Search has offered an unparalleled opportunity to thousands of aspiring, American racecar drivers, providing many with the experience of a lifetime and helping several others to advance their racing careers.
The History of the Red Bull Driver Search
In the inaugural year 2002, an elite class of 13 drivers competed for four coveted seats on the Red Bull Junior Team. Paul Edwards, Scott Speed, Grant Maiman, and Joel Nelson edged out the competition to earn a drive in Europe for the 2003 racing season.
In 2003, the Red Bull Driver Search expanded to the grassroots of motorsports, enabling young aspirants to qualify for selection through a series of nationwide karting qualifiers. After the dust settled on the Finals in Estoril, Colin Fleming, Dominique Claessens and Matt Jaskol were selected, joining Scott Speed as members of the 2004 Red Bull Junior Team.
Additional qualifying centers were added in 2004, further broadening the reach of the Program. John Edwards was selected as the winner, while Speed and Fleming dominated the Formula Renault ranks in Europe during the 2004 racing season.
Speed moved up to GP2 in 2005 and Fleming took on the World Series by Renault. Edwards honed his skills in the Italian Karting Championship and European Formula Renault. Back in the U.S. the Search continued but 2005 proved to be a less fruitful year for the Program. Two drivers from the class of 2005 were selected to travel to the Red Bull Junior Team test in Europe, but neither was successful in earning a seat on the team.
The Red Bull Driver Search has put American drivers back on the map in the top tiers of European open-wheel racing, and most importantly, the Program has achieved the significant feat of placing an American in the leading category of world motorsport, Formula 1. Globally, Red Bull continues to be one of the leading supporters of open-wheel racing.
From the Offices of Maxim Sports Management
Red Bull Driver Search Achieves Success and Formally Concludes
New York, NY (17 October 05) - It took just four short years for the Red Bull Driver Search to successfully place an American driver at the pinnacle of world motorsport, Formula 1. Next season, 2002 Red Bull Driver Search winner, Scott Speed will take his seat in Formula 1 with one of Red Bull�s Formula 1 Teams, Red Bull Racing or Squadra Toro Rosso.
With its primary goal complete, the Driver Search will not continue to operate in its current format for 2006. We will not conduct a formal or organized Search, but Red Bull will continue to monitor upcoming American racing talent. Current Driver Search graduates, Scott Speed, Colin Fleming and John Edwards, will continue to be supported by Red Bull as they pursue their dreams of Formula 1.
Since its inception in 2002, the Red Bull Driver Search has offered an unparalleled opportunity to thousands of aspiring, American racecar drivers, providing many with the experience of a lifetime and helping several others to advance their racing careers.
The History of the Red Bull Driver Search
In the inaugural year 2002, an elite class of 13 drivers competed for four coveted seats on the Red Bull Junior Team. Paul Edwards, Scott Speed, Grant Maiman, and Joel Nelson edged out the competition to earn a drive in Europe for the 2003 racing season.
In 2003, the Red Bull Driver Search expanded to the grassroots of motorsports, enabling young aspirants to qualify for selection through a series of nationwide karting qualifiers. After the dust settled on the Finals in Estoril, Colin Fleming, Dominique Claessens and Matt Jaskol were selected, joining Scott Speed as members of the 2004 Red Bull Junior Team.
Additional qualifying centers were added in 2004, further broadening the reach of the Program. John Edwards was selected as the winner, while Speed and Fleming dominated the Formula Renault ranks in Europe during the 2004 racing season.
Speed moved up to GP2 in 2005 and Fleming took on the World Series by Renault. Edwards honed his skills in the Italian Karting Championship and European Formula Renault. Back in the U.S. the Search continued but 2005 proved to be a less fruitful year for the Program. Two drivers from the class of 2005 were selected to travel to the Red Bull Junior Team test in Europe, but neither was successful in earning a seat on the team.
The Red Bull Driver Search has put American drivers back on the map in the top tiers of European open-wheel racing, and most importantly, the Program has achieved the significant feat of placing an American in the leading category of world motorsport, Formula 1. Globally, Red Bull continues to be one of the leading supporters of open-wheel racing.