Racing driver dropped after using racial slurs over game of Call of Duty

Jüri Vips, Red Bull Junior racing driver in Formula 2, has been suspended from the team after a racially-explicit outburst on a gaming livestream over a game of Call of Duty.

Jüri Vips, Formula 2 racing driver and now-former member of the Red Bull Junior Team, has been dropped from that program after a livestreamed game of Call of Duty: Warzone featured him spouting racial slurs.

The Estonian driver who has been competing since 2016 in various series and was a part of the highly successful Red Bull Junior Team, has since apologised for his behaviour. However, it seems likely this will result in complete career suicide.

The moment was captured on a live stream being hosted by fellow Formula 2 driver and Red Bull Junior Liam Lawson. Livestreaming of gaming sessions is fairly common among the younger generation of motorsport drivers, popularised by the likes of Formula 1 stars Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, and Charles Leclerc.

Following Vips’ outburst, Lawson and others on the call clearly realise what he’s done. They’re also laughing, which has led to questions as to their own attitudes. Not a day in the sun for any of them.

Vips has since apologised on Instagram, saying that “This language is entirely unacceptable and does not portray the values and principles I hold. I deeply regret my actions and this is not the example I wish to set. I will co-operate with the investigation fully.”

The next Formula 2 race is at the Silverstone GP in a week and a half, July 2 and 3. Likely this will all need to be resolved by then if drivers are going to be replaced over it.

Written by GLHF.