Speed Finishes 13th in Series Debut

Californian Scott Speed finished 13th in a 22-car field in his first Formula One race at the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday.

The 23-year-old Manteca native was the first American to compete in Formula One in 13 years. He had qualified 16th.

Reigning series champion Fernando Alonso of Spain won the race on the island of Bahrain off the coast of Saudi Arabia. Seven-time champion Michael Schumacher was second in a Ferrari.

Speed, who drives for the Scuderia Toro Rosso team, said he was pleased to complete his first race “without making any mistakes.”

“I had a great start and felt that my driving style throughout the race was very balanced,” he said.

The next Formula One race is Sunday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.