Speed Hopeful of Landing F1 Drive

Speed, who was given the chance to test for Red Bull at the Canadian and United States Grand Prix weekends, finished eight fastest in his final session.

And he said: "This weekend did feel different with all the people. It was easier here because I had already been through a Grand Prix weekend. But it was very special for me.

"It has been my goal for the last three years (to get into Formula One) and after this experience I now feel more confident that it will happen."

Speed has been racing in Europe for much of his junior career in a bid to break out of the American racing scene and find a way into Formula One.

But he is still well known in the United States and he believes that racing in Formula One, if it happens, would have a similar effect to that seen in Spain by Renault driver Fernando Alonso's arrival.

"I would hope it would do," Speed said. "It is great to see the support here and it has made me realise since that if I do make it in Formula One its importance in America would go up."

But Speed, who spends most of his time racing around Europe in the GP2 championship, admits one of the biggest pleasures of the last two weekends has been experience life in his homeland again.

"There are so many idiosyncrasies in America compared to Europe," said Speed. "For example, in Europe you don't have a certain colour of M&Ms that I enjoy!

"To be honest, there are lots of positives to being in Europe. I have adapted to it over there but being away from family and my close friends in California is difficult."