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.
Explaining the key aspects of Porsche and Audi's planned F1 entries
FIA: Extra F1 sprint race plan hold up not about money
Mercedes: Not realistic to be beating Red Bull this F1 season
Mercedes: Not realistic to be beating Red Bull this F1 season Mercedes: Not realistic to be beating Red Bull this F1 season
Why Saudi Arabia is not put off by its F1 critics
Why Saudi Arabia is not put off by its F1 critics Why Saudi Arabia is not put off by its F1 critics
Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself
Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself
F2 drivers Vips, Armstrong to test IndyCars at Sebring
F2 drivers Vips, Armstrong to test IndyCars at Sebring F2 drivers Vips, Armstrong to test IndyCars at Sebring
Horner: Red Bull made "very strong statement" by sacking Vips
Horner: Red Bull made "very strong statement" by sacking Vips Horner: Red Bull made "very strong statement" by sacking Vips
Vips "pissed off" pitstop cost him "easy victory" in F2 Bahrain feature race
Vips "pissed off" pitstop cost him "easy victory" in F2 Bahrain feature race Vips "pissed off" pitstop cost him "easy victory" in F2 Bahrain feature race
Mercedes: Not realistic to be beating Red Bull this F1 season
Mercedes: Not realistic to be beating Red Bull this F1 season Mercedes: Not realistic to be beating Red Bull this F1 season
Marquez “cannot explain” his shock Portugal MotoGP pole lap
Marquez “cannot explain” his shock Portugal MotoGP pole lap Marquez “cannot explain” his shock Portugal MotoGP pole lap
MotoGP Portuguese GP: Marc Marquez grabs first pole of 2023, Quartararo 11th
MotoGP Portuguese GP: Marc Marquez grabs first pole of 2023, Quartararo 11th MotoGP Portuguese GP: Marc Marquez grabs first pole of 2023, Quartararo 11th
Sao Paulo E-Prix: Da Costa beats Guenther in FP2 with late lap
Sao Paulo E-Prix: Da Costa beats Guenther in FP2 with late lap Sao Paulo E-Prix: Da Costa beats Guenther in FP2 with late lap
How Vasseur has begun Ferrari’s mission to keep Leclerc on side
How Vasseur has begun Ferrari’s mission to keep Leclerc on side How Vasseur has begun Ferrari’s mission to keep Leclerc on side
Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself
Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself
How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri
How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri
What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight
What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay
How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay
The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off
The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off
Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come
Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come
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.