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Red Bull terminate Juri Vips’ contract after investigation into reserve driver’s racial slur

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Red Bull have terminated the contract of reserve driver Juri Vips after he made a racial slur during an online gaming stream.

The 21-year-old was brought into the Formula One team’s fold as an official reserve for the 2022 campaign after a number of tests, having impressed in the F2 reserve series.

However, he was suspended last month after appearing to make a racial slur during a Twitch livestream.

On Tuesday, Red Bull confirmed they had sacked Vips after a full investigation.

They stated: “Following an investigation into an online incident involving Juri Vips, Oracle Red Bull Racing has terminated Juri’s contract as its test and reserve driver.

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

Estonian racer Vips had previously apologised for his actions. He wrote on his Instagram account: “I wish to unreservedly apologise 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 with to set. I will co-operate with the investigation fully.”

The news comes after F1 and teams including Mercedes and Ferrari condemned a racist slur used by former world champion Nelson Piquet to describe Lewis Hamilton in a podcast last year.