Red Bull Racing terminated their reserve driver’s contract on Tuesday following remarks Juri Vips made during a video game live stream session. The comments were alleged to be racist and homophobic, though Vips is set to continue racing in F2.

Red Bull have just announced New Zealander Liam Lawson has been appointed as their reserve driver role at replacing the sacked Vips.

Red Bull terminated Vips’s contract last Tuesday after an investigation into a remark made during a video game live stream session that also featured Lawson as one of the competitors.

“Liam Lawson steps into that role following the Juri Vips announcement,” Red Bull team boss Christian Horner told reporters at the British Grand Prix.

Lawson has a super license and competes for Carlin in F2 and won the opening race in Bahrain in his inaugural race in Bahrain last year. The New Zealander then struggled for the rest of the season and finished P9 two spots below Juri Vips who he now replaces.

Red Bull sponsor two other F2 drivers, India’s Jehan Daruvala, who tested privately with McLaren last week, and (Norwegian) Dennis Hauger 

Horner said both were doing well and their progress was being “followed with interest”.

It’s improbable Lawson will get to drive the Red Bull competitively either this season or next given Sergio Perez had signed a new contract in Monaco for 2023.

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