“Vettel was the golden child” - Sebastian Vettel accused of getting special treatment from F1 driver he eventually replaced

Former F1 driver Scott Speed recently criticized fellow racer Sebastian Vettel, accusing him of getting a certain "special treatment" in the sport early in his career.

Speed, who raced in F1 between 2006 and 2007, spoke in an interview about his experience with Vettel, revealing the "unfair advantage" the German driver recieved.

Looking back, Scott Speed recalled getting a call from the Toro Rosso team, letting him know of their decision to bring Vettel into the car.

"They called and said they were gonna put Vettel in the car," Speed stated. "I thought 'awesome' because at that point Vettel was the golden child. I was thinking 'great let's get him in that thing' and see what he does."

However, Speed's optimism quickly turned to scepticism after seeing Sebastian Vettel's performance.

"Sure enough, Vettel qualified 19th (in the Hungarian Grand Prix). I don't remember where he raced but it wasn't amazing at all," he recounted.

These observations led Scott Speed to question the special treatment Vettel seemed to receive despite his lackluster results.

Critics may argue that Vettel's subsequent F1 success contradicts Speed's claim. Vettel won multiple world championships with Red Bull Racing, establishing himself as one of the most successful drivers in the history of the sport. However, Speed's criticism is not focused solely on Vettel's achievements but rather on the perception that he received preferential treatment early in his career.

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How Sebastian Vettel's Meteoric Rise Ended Up Being The Demise of Speed's Career?

Sebastian Vettel and Scott Speed

Sebastian Vettel's rise to fame in F1 was meteoric, making him one of the most hated, yet successful drivers in the history of the sport. But as Vettel's star rose, it cast a shadow over the career of Scott Speed, a promising driver who failed to secure a permanent place in F1.

Speed entered Formula 1 in 2006 with Toro Rosso. He showed early potential and demonstrated his competitive spirit and determination to succeed. However, his time in the sport was marred by several factors, including the sudden rise of Sebastian Vettel.

The future Ferrari-ace joined Toro Rosso in 2007, pushing Speed down in the pecking order. Signing the young German prospect generated a lot of excitement and anticipation. Vettel's performances in his debut season, including an impressive fourth-place finish at the Chinese Grand Prix, quickly cemented his status as F1's rising star.

Sebastian Vettel's success was well deserved, but came at the cost of Scott Speed's career. As the team shifted its focus to developing Vettel's talent and giving him better opportunities, Speed was sidelined and relegated to a secondary role.

A lack of support and opportunities hampered Speed's career. He struggled to secure a stable position in the sport and often faced setbacks. Despite valiant efforts, the American was unable to replicate his early success and build his momentum.

Vettel's rapid rise further overshadowed Speed's career, leaving him with limited options. In 2007, Speed's F1 journey came to an end in contrast to Sebastian Vettel, who continued his rise to the top, eventually winning multiple world championships.

Vettel's rise to stardom not only showcased his prodigious skills, but also unintentionally ended the careers of up-and-coming drivers like Speed. Scott then went on to compete in several different championships including IndyCar, Formula E and Nitro He Rallycross. He was also once close to moving to Williams; however nothing ever came to fruition.