Who did the better job in F1, Michael Andretti or Scott Speed?
I think Speed was able to demonstrate his maximum abilities while Andretti did not. Andretti had the speed for F1 but his approach, commuting from the US, failing to get adequate testing, and rules limiting the amount of laps in practice, all handicapped him. He failed to adapt to F1 and as a conqsequence never quite displayed his true abilities.
Speed wasn't bad. I think towards the end he became a match for Liuzzi who from GP2 we know is no slouch. I think though the car wasn't very good and didn't help either reputation. This is why I doubt Bourdais wants a drive with STR, it will only make him look slow
How could anyone think Andretti did better than Scott Speed? Andretti is to F1 what the Baldwins are to acting - talented but too arrogant or stupid to know they are their own worst enemy. Speed drove a car that was two notches up from the bottom performers. He performed well under the circumstances and applied himself by improving regularly. He couldn't get through an interview at the beginning of his F1 career without sounding like an idiot but he adapted and represented himself much better. (maybe because he retired early so often he got practice being interviewed?) Andretti on the other hand was driving a car that took Ayrton Senna to a solid second in the championship that year. His approach to F1 was nothing short of astonishing considering he has a former F1 champion for a father. I don't think he ever finished a race while Speed doesn't have to carry that burden the rest of his life. No, Andretti was the bigger failure if not the biggest failure in F1. He is the poster boy for the mis-match that F1 and the USA are.
Obviously it is a bit of an apples and oranges question as they sat in such vastly different cars. - Speed never accomplished anything but sat in the 2nd worst car. - Andretti got one podium, drove into the points 3 times, crashed a lot and got lapped while sitting in probably the 2nd best car
I honestly dont know who scored more points. Andretti had potential unused in a good car, IMO he thought he was too cool, and split his time unwisely. Speed gave it his all and did favorably against his team-mate which is all I can judge him by. Speeds overdoing it in interveiws and such didnt help but he was trying to do what he felt he had to do to ensure a future. The polar opposite is KR who cared less about PR chores.
Can't compare the two of them based on everything said here. Different cars, circumstances, opportunities, etc. I also agree that Michael did not show his true potential. He started and finished like Massa's early start with Ferrari - miserably. I think Michael would have evolved in time. Scott did well with what he had. I don't think he was anything special but he did an admirable job in a less than admirable car.
I think Michael was in a tougher position - he was placed in an unfamiliar (to him) car that was not as quick as the Williams, not much pre-season practice, paired with possibly the best driver in history. The spotlight and expectation was sky high. His commuting from the US back and forth didn't help matter much. I think he was a lot better than his results that year showed. If he had a season to prepare in testing, learning the tracks, etc he would have done a great job. He would have not troubled the top echelon like Ayrton or Prost but he could have handled the Alesis, Bergers, etc pretty nicely. Scott Speed got a comfy start with low spotlight on him. In the end he proved to be as quick as Luizzi but prone to a few more mistakes. He had a lot of mechanical failures and sometimes crashes not of his making. But he had more time to show his stuff. I think the removal of the US GP was the final nail in his coffin.
Without going into details and why, MA had the potential but lack in attitude to make it happen. As for SS, can't say that I have seen anything special out of him so far. Thus, IMO, both are terrible for their own reasons.
Interesting. So she helped destroy one Andretti's F1 career, but was instrumental in potentially launching another one's. What an ironic twist.
Here's Michael last week. IRL and ALMS cars at once. He appeared to be enjoying himself. Marco qualified well, then his teamate put him on his top. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I stand corrected. He finished and that will always be in the record books. But he qualified 1.26 seconds behind his teamate Senna and a lot of others, and finished third at Monza not on the strength of his drive but because Schumacher, Prost, Senna and four other better drivers had all dropped out by the end of the race. Pretty empty third place.
Although it is hard to compare the two in different situations and cars, if you asked who was more committed to F-1 it would have to be Scott. No matter the reasons, MA didn't give it the level of commitment needed to succeed.
I wouldn't call getting pregnant as being instrumental in launching his career. That is down to the guidance of Mario and Michael.
I ain't never birthed no baby so I don't know first-hand; but try telling HER she wasn't instrumental...;-)
Interesting how even the results are. Particularly given that Andretti's drive happened 15 years ago.
