Hitech GP has released a statement which states that it will allow Juri Vips to complete the F2 season, with the series to monitor the situation.
After Red Bull terminated his contract with Vips due to his racist behaviour, Hitech GP has released its own statement stating that they will allow him to complete the F2 season for the rest of the season despite the decision from Red Bull.
The idea from Hitech GP is to help Vips demonstrate through his actions and showcase how he is as the person. The team doesn’t support racism at all but wants to give him a redemption knowing how the Estonian driver is.
“I have made the decision for Jüri to keep his F2 seat with Hitech for the remainder of the season, a decision we have seriously debated,” Hitech team principal Oliver Oakes stated in a long statement. “Allowing him to complete his season with Hitech is an opportunity for him to demonstrate, through his actions, the type of person he is. I have made it clear that I think the language used was totally unacceptable, but I choose to give him the chance to redeem himself.
“Hitech GP employs an inclusive workforce and has never condoned racism or offensive behaviour in any forms. That said, if we live in a society where no one can make a mistake, then genuinely apologise, have the chance for redemption and learn from it – what does it say about society? I don’t know why he said what he said. I don’t know why he was playing and streaming [Call of Duty] at that time of day. Certainly, there are things that would have been far more beneficial for his career!
“What I do know is that having his contract terminated by Red Bull as result of his actions is a crushing experience for him, a deservedly severe punishment. The reality is there will not be unanimous agreement whether that punishment is sufficient, and that is totally understandable. My own view is that no apologies or words alone are enough to mend the damage done. By allowing him to keep racing with Hitech, we are giving Juri the opportunity to demonstrate genuine and sincere remorse for his future actions.
“He must now grasp every opportunity to do so. He needs to make lasting changes and not just short-term virtue-signalling comments. While this may not satisfy everyone, I believe we all deserve a second chance in life, but never a third. Juri’s self-respect, his reputation and his career are now firmly in his hands. Finally, the events of the last few days have cast a shadow over what should have been a fantastic home grand prix on Hitech’s doorstep with our Formula 2 and Formula 3 teams competing at Silverstone. Therefore, Hitech will be making no further comments on the matter.”
While Hitech GP took the decision to keep him, F2 is surprised by it and is likely to monitor the situation closely. “Following the recent incident involving Jüri Vips, F2 would like to reaffirm that the use of racist or discriminatory language cannot be tolerated in any environment,” it said. “Hitech Grand Prix’s decision today is surprising and not one we would have taken. We will monitor the situation carefully with them to ensure that such behaviour is properly addressed.”
Here’s the news from Red Bull
