Red Bull recently announced the termination of their junior driver Juri Vips’ contract! This was a few hours after Lewis Hamilton was on the receiving end of some unfortunate words from Nelson Piquet. Vips has been immediately relieved of all team duties after an investigation launched into the incident found him guilty.
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The past few days have been an eye-opener for the F1 community. Fans have amassed in big numbers to show their support and fight against any racial discrimination. Moreover, several F1 teams and drivers have also raised their voices against racial abuse. Vips and Hamilton have been the center of attention throughout this.
Red Bull released the following statement:- “Following its investigation into an online incident involving Juri Vips, Oracle Red Bull Racing has terminated Juri’s contract as its test & reserve driver. The team do not condone any form of racism.”?
Piquet’s racial abuse aimed at Hamilton was already out by this time. The Austrian team, however, has still not made any separate statements surrounding the seven-time world champion.
Twitter fans have now reacted to this message and expressed their views.
Please comment on the Nelson thing then.
— rie (@High5Forever) June 28, 2022
can you terminate nelson piquet as well cheers lads
— Travis (@TravCS) June 28, 2022
Ok, now comment on the Lewis situation admin
— Jay Waves Unofficial (@JayWaves360) June 28, 2022
Okay now condemn piquets actions
— sabine 🏳️🌈🐝 ISAI DAY (@maxwdcs) June 28, 2022
how are you saying you don’t condon any form of racism but not saying anything abt nelson piquet
— fion (@fionsramblings_) June 28, 2022
Not a great time to tweet that after refusing to make a statement on Piquet
— Curtis (@curtis__cj) June 28, 2022
Vips was racing for Hitech Grand Prix in Formula 2. As the reserve and test driver for Red Bull’s F1 team, the Estonian also drove the RB-18 last month during FP1 at the Spanish Grand Prix. The driver had apologized for his behavior earlier and promised to fully “cooperate” in the investigation.
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The timeline of Lewis Hamilton-Nelson Piquet amidst the Red Bull situation with their ex-driver Juri Vips
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Nelson Piquet used derogatory terms for Lewis Hamilton during a podcast last year. The comments have resurfaced ahead of the 2022 British Grand Prix. The former world champion made these comments after Hamilton was involved in a gigantic crash with Max Verstappen at Silverstone?in 2021. Strikingly, Piquet is the father of Verstappen’s girlfriend Kelly Piquet.
Several sporting entities have come forward in support of the Mercedes driver. Title contender Charles Leclerc, Daniel Ricciardo, Mick Schumacher, and even teams like Ferrari have released statements in favor of Hamilton. Further, the Briton himself condemned the racial abuse against him and announced, “Time has come for action.”
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So, what do you think? What steps should be taken to prohibit racism in the racing world at least?