Vips gets Red Bull F1 practice debut in Spanish GP FP1
Red Bull junior driver Juri Vips has been drafted in for a first free practice outing for the Formula 1 team at this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix.
The Estonian, who is competing in this year’s Formula 2 championship with Hitech Grand Prix, will take over Sergio Perez’s car for the Friday morning session at Barcelona.
Vips’ opportunity with Red Bull comes as part of a new regulation introduced by the FIA to help ensure more mileage for young drivers.
For 2022, teams have to run a rookie driver – who has not participated in more than two F1 races – in at least two free practice sessions.
Vips is a logical choice for Red Bull, having been a part of its junior programme for several years. He was originally signed up ahead of the 2018 Macau Grand Prix, after rising to prominence when he won the 2017 ADAC Formula 4 title.
He had earned an F1 superlicence by the end of 2020 after completing enough testing mileage with Red Bull.
As well as acting as a reserve driver for the Milton Keynes-based team and sister squad AlphaTauri on several occasions, he has also regularly taken part in the post-season Abu Dhabi young driver tests for Red Bull.
Vips turned out for Red Bull in its RB16B at last year's Abu Dhabi young driver test
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Alongside his F1 commitments, Vips will also be continuing his F2 campaign, where he currently lies sixth overall in the standings after the opening three events. The 21-year-old's best result so far this season is second place in the Jeddah sprint race.
Vips is not the only driver change taking place for Friday morning in Spain.
Formula E champion Nyck de Vries has been drafted in at Williams to take over Alex Albon’s car, with the Grove-based team evaluating the Dutchman for a potential future opportunity.
PLUS: Why de Vries' F1 practice debut could add a new path to his current crossroads
At Alfa Romeo, Robert Kubica will also be returning to the F1 cockpit for the first time since the Imola tyre test, as he takes over from Zhou Guanyu.
Kubica’s vast experience in F1 means he does not count for the rookie rule, so Alfa Romeo will still have to run its junior contenders later in the season.
Share Or Save This Story
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Jon Noble: An unfair perception or a genuine concern? Lifting the lid on Red Bull’s Tsunoda scepticism
Vips: Pitlane space reason Portland picked for first IndyCar start of 2024
Vips returns to Rahal’s IndyCar squad at Portland
Vips working on IndyCar return for this year
Is Red Bull better or worse off one year after Horner's sacking? Our writers have their say
Vinales: 'KTM sent me a contract, I signed it, and two weeks later they cancelled it'
One year on: How Red Bull changed post-Horner
How technical issues have cost Bagnaia 40 points in the MotoGP title fight
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments