Juri Vips' career has been given a lifeline by his Formula 2 team.
Juri Vips' career has been given a lifeline thanks to his Formula 2 team.
The Estonian was a reserve and junior driver for Red Bull until he was kicked out by the energy drink company for using a racial term during a game stream.
However, Hitech, the Silverstone-based F2 team that broke its sponsorship deal with Uralkali this year due to the crisis in Ukraine, will keep Vips.
The team released a statement promising to give Vips, seventh in the F2 points standings at the moment, "the opportunity to redeem himself."
Boss Oliver Oakes confirmed the news, but said the decision was "seriously debated" after the "overwhelming experience" of his ouster from Red Bull.
"Allowing him to complete his season is an opportunity for him to demonstrate the kind of person he is through his actions," he stated.
"I have made it clear that I find the language used totally unacceptable, but I have decided to give him the chance to redeem himself.
"If we live in a society where no one can make a mistake, genuinely apologize and have a chance to redeem themselves and learn, what does that say about society?" he added.
F2 described Hitech's decision as "surprising and different from what we would have done."
"We will carefully monitor the situation with them to ensure that such behavior is appropriately addressed."