Formula 1: Red Bull make obvious decision following racial slur

Red Bull have cut ties with Formula 1 test and reserve driver Juri Vips following his use of a racial slur during a Twitch livestream.

Following a full investigation into an online incident, Red Bull have announced that Juri Vips, who had served as a Formula 1 test and reserve driver for the team, is no longer a member of the organization.

Last week, Vips was playing Call of Duty: Warzone with Liam Lawson, another Red Bull junior driver, when he used the phrase “b**** n*****”. Footage of the incident went viral, as you might expect.

Red Bull quickly announced that the 21-year-old Estonian had been suspended indefinitely and that they would be launching a full investigation into the matter.

Now Red Bull have officially cut ties with Vips, releasing the following statement on Tuesday to confirm the news.

Vips did issue an apology, but following Red Bull’s initial announcement of an indefinite suspension and a full investigation, the writing was on the wall, as there was very little chance that this situation could have turned out differently.

Back in April 2020, NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Larson used the n-word during a Twitch livestream. He was suspended indefinitely at first by both NASCAR and Chip Ganassi Racing, his team at the time, but Chip Ganassi Racing ultimately fired him and he missed the rest of the 2020 season.

As for Vips, he is in his third season in Formula 2 and second as a full-time driver for Hitech Grand Prix. Through 12 races, he has three podium finishes and sits in seventh place in the point standings. Last year, he finished in sixth with two wins and four more podium finishes in 23 races.

Back in May, Vips made his Formula 1 practice debut at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, when he filled in for Sergio Perez behind the wheel of the RB18 during the opening practice session ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix.