Hitech GP have announced that Juri Vips will continue to drive for the team in F2 amidst Red Bull’s decision to terminate his contract for racial language.
Vips yesterday was sacked as Red Bull’s Reserve and Test Driver yesterday (28 June) following an investigation into inappropriate racial language during a live video gaming stream earlier this month, for which he “unreservedly” apologised for in the immediate fallout.
His departure also brought his time with Red Bull’s Junior Team to an end after having been part of the team since 2018.
— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) June 28, 2022
His F2 team, Hitech GP however have opted to continue their support of the Estonian who will continue in the series with the team until the conclusion of this season.
Hitech GP Team Principal, Oliver Oakes issued the following statement on the team’s stance concerning Vips as he said: “I have made the decision for Juri to keep his F2 seat with Hitech for the remainder of the season, a decision we have seriously debated.”
Oakes however iterated that Vips must take this renewed backing despite acknowledging his use of language as “totally unacceptable” as “an opportunity to demonstrate, through his actions, the type of person he is.”
Hitech also added that as “an inclusive work force” they won’t condone racial or offensive language but raised a question of morals: “That said, if we live in a society where no one can make a mistake, then genuinely apologise, have the chance for redemption and learn from it – what does it say about society?”
Oakes however was critical of Vips for playing and streaming Call Of Duty in daytime as he argued that Vips should of been doing “more beneficial” development activities to boost his career prospects, although he noted that Red Bull’s termination serves as a “crushing experience” for the 21 year-old.
On what Vips now needs to do in order to salvage any prospects of a future F1 drive, Oakes insisted that the Estonian must “grasp every opportunity” with “lasting changes” which “demonstrate genuine and sincere remorse for his future actions.”
Oakes also made it bluntly clear that Vips’ future is in his own hands as he added: “Juri’s self-respect, his reputation and his career are now firmly in his hands.”
🚨 Statement from Hitech on Jüri Vips’ on-going participation in @Formula2 🚨 pic.twitter.com/I7ihECO3V3
— Hitech GP (@HitechGP) June 29, 2022
F2 bosses however have described Hitech’s decision to retain Vips as “surprising” but have vowed to “monitor the situation carefully with them to ensure that such behaviour is properly addressed.”
A statement from Formula 2 pic.twitter.com/9nx8dhV0AH
— Formula 2 (@Formula2) June 29, 2022
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