Red Bull have suspended a promising junior driver over his use of racist language while taking part in a live video game stream.
Juri Vips is banned from "all team duties", said the team in a statement broadcast on social media. The move comes after footage emerged of the Estonian appearing to use the n-word while playing a video game, which was being live streamed on the internet.
"Red Bull Racing has suspended junior driver Juri Vips from all team duties with immediate effect, pending a full investigation into the incident," the statement read. "As an organisation, we condemn abuse of any kind and have a zero-tolerance policy to racist language or behaviour within our organisation."
Vips currently competes in the Formula 2 championship, where he is seventh in the standings with 51 points after the first six rounds. He is a member of the Red Bull young driver programme and a test driver for the team, having driven the RB18 at the Spanish Grand Prix last month.
The 21-year-old took to Instagram to admit that he had used racist language and to apologise. "I wish to unreservedly apologise for the offensive language used during a live gaming stream earlier today," he wrote.
"This language is entirely unacceptable and does not portray the values and principles that I hold. I deeply regret my actions and this is not the example I wish to set. I will cooperate with the investigation fully."
