[ad_1]
Juri Vips will return to racing in IndyCar this weekend, over a 12 months since he lost his role as Red Bull’s reserve driver last year for using a racial slur.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing has signed the 23-year-old Estonian for the final two rounds of the season at Portland and Laguna Seca. Vips will drive the group’s quantity 30 automobile over the following two weekends.
Jack Harvey began the season in that entry, however completed no increased than thirteenth over the primary 14 races of the 12 months. He and RLLR parted methods earlier than final weekend’s spherical at Gateway, and Conor Daly was known as as much as change him for that race.
Vips thanked group co-owners Bobby Rahal and Mike Lanigan for the chance. “I’m tremendous blissful to get the chance with RLLR and really grateful to Bobby, Mike and everybody on the group,” he mentioned.
“I haven’t been driving all 12 months so the anticipation for this chance has been immense however I’m actually trying ahead to beginning once more.”
He first examined for the group because it turned clear he wouldn’t return to F2 this 12 months. “We examined collectively on the finish of 2022 in Sebring and it appeared like we simply gelled,” mentioned Vips. “I received together with everybody and I actually just like the environment on the group.
“Bobby’s additionally one to offer second possibilities and I’m extraordinarily grateful that he’s giving me one and I actually hope to carry a great outcome for him, Mike and the entire group.”
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
Vips mentioned his goal is to assist the group safe its locations among the many prime 22 full-time automobiles which obtain profitable Winners Circle funds.
“I hope I can show myself and most significantly get them into the Winners Circle, which is all the time my foremost mission. I really feel prepared for these races, I feel the tracks swimsuit my expertise and driving model and the automobile as nicely.
“I’ve already built-in myself with the group this 12 months, doing a little work for them on the simulator so I already know the individuals and really feel very comfy with everybody which is a giant profit for me as nicely.”
Each of Vips’ IndyCar assessments have been with RLL. The primary was at Sebring final October, the second at Barber Motorports Park this March the place he stood in for Harvey whereas he was injured.
Vips had a stellar junior profession, successful the 2017 ADAC [German] Method 4 title, coming fourth in two completely different Method 3 sequence, ending second within the Macau Grand Prix after which successful three races throughout two-and-a-half seasons in Method 2.
He was backed by or part of Crimson Bull from late 2018 by to final summer time. He drove for the group within the first apply session for the Spanish Grand Prix in Could final 12 months.
Nevertheless a month later the group parted methods with Vips after he used a racial slur whereas live-streaming a Name of Obligation sport with fellow Crimson Bull junior Liam Lawson. That incident didn’t price Vips his F2 seat, however he has been out of the cockpit since final season ended, other than his IndyCar assessments.
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
IndyCar
[ad_2]
Source link
