Paul David Nuñez June 22nd, 2022 - 12:09 PM
Junior driver Juri Vips, 21, from Estonia has been suspended by Red Bull Racing after Vips used a racial slur on a Twitch livestream. While playing Call of Duty: Warzone with Liam Lawson, another junior driver for Red Bull who was streaming on Twitch, Vips cursed and said the n-word. Lawson quickly replied “Juri!” and laughed. Following the incident, Red Bull Gaming released the following statement: “Red Bull Racing has suspended junior driver Juri Vips from all team duties with immediate effect, pending a full investigation into the incident. As an organization, we condemn abuse of any kind and have a zero-tolerance policy to racist language or behavior within our organization.”
— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) June 21, 2022
It wasn’t the only incident that occurred in the livestream. Earlier, Lawson asked Vips to wear a pink Red Bull cap to which Vips replied “No, that’s gay.”
“Juri, you can’t say that,” Lawson told Vips.
Following the suspension, Juri Vips released a statement on Instagram. “I wish to unreservedly apologize for the offensive language used during a live gaming stream earlier today. 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.”
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Vips recently competed for Hitech Grand Prix in Formula Two and is currently seventh in the standings.
This is just another incident where athletes in traditional sports have gotten into trouble for using racist slurs while streaming. Last year, FaZe Clan cut ties with NBA player Meyers Leonard after he used an antisemitic slur during a Twitch stream. He was fined $50,000 by the NBA and was suspended by the Miami Heat who he played for at the time.
