Red Bull sack driver for using racist slur

Juri Vips had been suspended as a result of the incident.

Red Bull have terminated the contract of Formula 2 driver Juri Vips after he used a racial slur during a livestream.

Vips was gaming with Red Bull junior Liam Lawson when he used the term, leading the New Zealander to nervously laugh as he realised what his colleague had done.

It came after the 21-year-old also allegedly used a derogatory term when offered a pink hat by Lawson, and he was immediately suspending by Red Bull, who started an investigation into his conduct.

Shortly after, Vips took to Instagram to apologise for his actions.

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

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

READ: Piquet facing strong punishment from Formula 1 after using racial slur against Hamilton

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

Team principal of Vips’ Hitech team, Oliver Oakes, expressed his condemnation of Vips’ language, affirming that it went against their “inclusive values.”

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“I was shocked and appalled to hear about this incident,” he told Formula Nerds.

“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 Red Bull’s suspension with an investigation to follow.”

READ: Ferrari react to Formula 1 legend racially abusing Hamilton

Having completed their investigation, Red Bull have had no choice but to terminate the junior driver’s contract, meaning that he will no longer be a part of the Austrian side’s development programme.

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

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

The Estonian has taken seven podium finishes with the Dams and Hitech teams in Formula 1, and won two races with the latter in 2021.

Formula1news.co.uk recently contacted Hitech to enquire as to whether they too may have to drop Vips as a result of his actions, but did not receive a response.

The news comes amid the racist abuse aimed at Sir Lewis Hamilton by Nelson Piquet.