Following its investigation into an online incident involving a racial slur, Red Bull has terminated Estonian driver, Juri Vips contract as its test and reserve driver.

The Austrian team took to social media to announce its decision, which comes exactly a week after it revealed he had been suspended after uttering a racial slur whilst live-streaming a video game he was playing with fellow racer Liam Lawson.

"Following its investigation into an online incident involving Juri Vips, Oracle Red Bull Racing has terminated Juri's contract as its test and reserve driver," read today's statement.

"The team do not condone any form of racism."

The announcement comes amidst the storm over the use of the same racial slur being used by three-time world champion Nelson Piquet in reference to Lewis Hamilton.

Vips, who joined Red Bull's junior driver programme in 2018, is currently 7th in the F2 standings, having finished 6th in 2021.

Winner of the 2017 ADAC Formula 4 championship, Vips, who has carried out simulator for the Red Bull F1 team, made his race weekend debut last month when he replaced Sergio Perez in FP1 at Barcelona.

Despite Red Bull's move, the team is currently facing fierce criticism on social media as it is (currently) the only team that hasn't reposted F1's official statement in reaction to Piquet's comments.

The situation is further complicated, certainly as far as social media is concerned, by the fact that Max Verstappen's partner is Piquet's daughter, Kelly.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by kenji, 01/07/2022 7:13

"@ Ricardo-Sanchez...In many jurisdictions the 'N' word is seen as parallel to the 'H' word. Both terms are deemed as equally derogatory. So what's your point?.... are you suggesting that language deemed to be unacceptable is judged by degree? Really...."

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2. Posted by Ricardo_sanchez, 30/06/2022 23:17

"@kenji - surely you’re not really suggesting there’s an equivalence between a white person being called a “honky” and a black person being referred to using the term Vips uttered? "

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3. Posted by kenji, 30/06/2022 0:28

"@elsiebc...I contemplated using the same terminology but decided not to as I doubted anyone else would've made the connection. Well said. I've been called a 'honky' before and I survived......"

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4. Posted by elsiebc, 29/06/2022 13:20

"I grew up in a time of "sticks and stones can break my bones..." SMH"

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5. Posted by kenji, 29/06/2022 10:23

"Another cancellation."

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6. Posted by Wokingchap, 29/06/2022 9:53

"So does the punishment fit the crime?
I think not, total exaggeration ...imo."

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7. Posted by Great_white_shark, 29/06/2022 3:49

"@Burton Max said that? So much crud comes out of the Red Bull camp, I lose track of the absurdities they uttered. At least they are consistent "

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8. Posted by Burton, 28/06/2022 21:02

"Shame for young Juri, if only he had "only" baselessly called people 'murderers' or 'mongoloids' he'd get star treatment like a certain Max Emilian..."

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9. Posted by @R1Racing71, 28/06/2022 17:40

"Looking forward to RB’s response with much amusement.
I used to feel Sorry for Danny Kyviat, now I think he dodged a bullet 🤣🤣🤣"

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10. Posted by Ricardo_sanchez, 28/06/2022 17:33

"Let’s go over to Christian Horner on the Red Bull pit wall, for his thoughts…"

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Red Bull terminates Vips contract

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