Juri Vips: Red Bull terminate Estonian's contract after racial slur investigation

Red Bull have confirmed that Juri Vips will be leaving the team as its test and reserve driver with immediate effect after an investigation into the use of a racial slur by the Estonian.

Vips was suspended by the team from his duties last week after using a racial slur in a live stream where he was playing on a games console alongside fellow gamers and another Red Bull development driver in Liam Lawson.

During the stream, Vips used a racial slur and that has prompted swift action from Red Bull, who, after an investigation, have decided to terminate their working relationship with the Estonian driver.

Taking to social media on Tuesday evening, a team statement read:

pic.twitter.com/bS8pbFSohL

This, of course, comes amid another racism storm following on from quotes surfacing from three-time world champion Nelson Piquet who used a racial slur when talking about Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton.

Indeed, earlier on today, Formula 1, the FIA, Mercedes and Hamilton, among others, released online statements saying that the time for learning has come to an end and now it’s time for action, with it remaining to be seen what comes of Piquet’s comments and what it means for his future involvement in and around the paddock.

Vips, meanwhile, loses his drive with the Red Bull team.