JURI VIPS, whose contract as test and reserve driver was cancelled by Red Bull, remains a part of the team’s junior programme, the PA news agency revealed today.

Ahead of last week’s British Grand Prix, Red Bull terminated the 21-year-old Estonian’s Formula One deal following an investigation into a racist slur he used during a live gaming stream.

But it is understood Vips, who apologised “unreservedly” for using “entirely unacceptable language,” has not been stood down from Red Bull’s junior pool of drivers.

Speaking to PA, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said: “We have cancelled our agreement with him [Vips] and that will undoubtedly give him time for reflection.

“Everybody at some point deserves a second chance, if they can show that they have really learnt from their mistakes.

“He is a young guy, a young kid, and we will be supporting him — even though he has had his agreement terminated — from a mental health and educational perspective. Hopefully he will learn from it.”

Vips, who joined Red Bull’s junior roster in 2018, was handed his Grand Prix debut in opening practice at the Spanish GP in May.