Red Bull Racing junior driver Juri Vips has been suspended from the team with “immediate effect” following an incident where he used a racial slur during a livestream. The 21 year old Estonian Formula 2 driver was heard using the racial slur during a Twitch livestream with fellow Formula 2 and Red Bull junior driver Liam Lawson.
Following the event, Red Bull Racing were quick to issue the following statement:
“Red Bull Racing has suspended junior driver Juri Vips from all team duties with immediate effect, pending a full investigation into the incident. As an organisation we condemn abuse of any kind and have a zero-tolerance policy to racist language or behaviour within our organisation.”
Vips also released his own apology statement via Instagram:
“I wish to unreservedly apologize for the offensive language used during a live gaming stream earlier today. 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.”
Jüri Vips via Instagram
The Estonian driver currently races in Formula 2 and completed his first F1 session in free practice at the Spanish Grand Prix earlier this year. It remains to be seen if both Red Bull Racing and Vips’ Formula 2 team Hitech GP continue their partnerships with the driver. Hitech GP have not released a statement yet. However Team owner Oliver Oakes addressed the situation on Tuesday evening.
“I was shocked and appalled to hear about this incident,”
“The comments made by Juri are offensive and completely not reflective of Hitech’s inclusive values. Like everyone else, I found out about this an hour ago – the video and Redbull’s suspension with an investigation to follow.”