Following Red Bull Racing’s decision to terminate test and reserve driver Juri Vips’ contract over the use of offensive language, HitechGP announced on Wednesday that the driver is given a second chance with the Formula 2 team to complete his season.
Hitech Grand Prix released an official statement on Wednesday, announcing its decision concerning Juri Vips’ short-term future with the Formula 2 squad.
Alongside his driver duties in F2 with the team, Vips also acted as a test and reserve driver with Formula 1 team Oracle Red Bull Racing and sister brand AlphaTauri.
On Tuesday, Red Bull announced the decision to terminate the driver’s contract, relieving him of all driving duties, following its investigation of an episode involving the use of racist language by the driver during an online live gaming stream.
His future in motorsport remained uncertain until Wednesday, when Oliver Oakes, Hitech GP team principal, issued an official statement taking a different direction towards Vips’ future within the team.
“I have made the decision for Juri to keep his seat with Hitech for the remainder of the season, a decision we have seriously debated,” the UK-based racing team boss stated.
According to Oakes, allowing the driver to continue to race and complete the current season represents an opportunity for the 21-year-old “to demonstrate through his actions the type of person he is.”
Adding: “I have made it clear that I think the language used was totally unacceptable, but I choose to give him the chance to redeem himself…”
In 2021, the young Estonian secured a full-time seat with the team to contest the Formula 2 championship alongside New Zealand driver Liam Lawson, making his debut at the Bahrain International Circuit.
He scored his first points for the team in Monaco; throughout the year, he would clinch six podiums, finishing the season in 6th place with 120 points under his name, becoming the first driver to win twice in a single weekend at Baku in Azerbaijan.
Continuing to speak about his decision to retain the driver, Oakes also certified the team “employs an inclusive workforce and has never condoned racism or offensive behavior in any forms.”
Further asked to reflect on the subject, saying: “If we live in a society where no one can make a mistake, then genuinely apologize, have the chance for redemption and learn from it, what does it say about society?”
Last week, footage in which the former Red Bull junior is presumed heard using a…
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