Red Bull terminates Juri Vips' F1 reserve driver contract for using racial slur

Red Bull has fired its Formula 1 reserve and junior driver Juri Vips with immediate effect for the use of a racial slur whilst on a live video game stream.

The Estonian appeared to use the n-word whilst on a Twitch stream with fellow Red Bull junior Liam Lawson.

The Milton Keynes squad released a statement confirming that his contract had been terminated after an investigation into the incident.

News of the decision came on the same day that a video emerged of Nelson Piquet referring to Lewis Hamilton with a racial slur. Hamilton responded with a forceful messaging, saying “These archaic mindsets need to change and have no place in our sport… Time has come for action”.

Hours later, Red Bull announced that it had parted way with Vips.

“Following its investigation into an online incident involving Juri Vips, Red Bull Racing has terminated Juri’s contract as its test and reserve driver,” the team said in a short statement.

“The team do not condone any form of racism.”

Six days before, shortly after the offending twitch stream, Vips released a statement via his Instagram profile.

“I wish to unreservedly apologise for the offensive language used during a live gaming stream earlier today,” his post said.

“This language is entirely unacceptable and does not portray the values and principles that I hold.

“I deeply regret my actions and this is not the example I wish to set. I will cooperate with the investigation fully.”

A Red Bull junior driver since 2018, Vips is currently in his third season of F2, currently driving for Hitech and is understood to retain his seat.

The Estonian has had an eventful year on track – he crashed out of the race whilst leading in Baku, after also spinning off in the Imola feature race after taking pole. He is currently seventh in the championship.

As junior driver for Red Bull, Vips made his F1 race weekend bow at the Spanish GP, participating in a free practice session as part of the championship’s young driver stipulation.

His next scheduled F2 race is at Silverstone during the British GP.