Formula 1 team Red Bull Racing has suspended its reserve driver Jüri Vips after he used racist language on video game platform Twitch.
Posted at 7:31 p.m.
The incident in question took place on Tuesday. In a video broadcast on the channel of another Red Bull junior driver, Liam Lawson, you can clearly hear Vips using the N-word on the microphone. His teammate seems to warn him by calling out to him with a simple “Jüri”.
In another video, Lawson hands a pink cap to Vips asking her to wear it. To which Vips responds “it’s gay”. Lawson reacts this time by saying “Jüri, you can’t say that”.
Both video footage quickly went viral and Red Bull Racing was quick to suspend the 21-year-old from all duties “pending a full investigation into the incident”, it said. she wrote in a short statement.
“As an organization we condemn abuse of any kind and we have a zero tolerance policy towards racist language or behavior within our organization,” she added.
The Estonian driver quickly posted a statement on his Instagram account to apologize for the “offensive language” he used. “This language is completely unacceptable and does not represent the values and principles I hold dear,” he continued. I deeply regret my actions and this is not the example I wish to set. I will cooperate fully with the investigation. »
Vips currently races for British team Hitech Grand Prix in Formula 2. He took over from Sergio Pérez in free practice at the Spanish Grand Prix last month as Red Bull’s reserve driver.