Vips set for F2 debut in place of injured Gelael at DAMS
Juri Vips is set to make his FIA Formula 2 debut with the DAMS team in place of the injured Sean Gelael at Spa-Francorchamps next weekend
Gelael suffered a back injury, sustaining a broken D4 vertebra in an impact with a kerb on the last lap of the F2 feature race at Barcelona last weekend, and has been ruled out for the next three rounds.
Vips, who will fill in for Gelael at DAMS and partner former F3 team-mate Dan Ticktum, will also contest at least the Monza and Mugello rounds.
Last year the Estonian raced in the FIA F3 series, winning three races and finishing fourth in the championship. He was also second at last year's Macau Grand Prix, where he took pole position.
For 2020 Red Bull steered him towards Super Formula rather than F2.
PLUS: The Japan-bound youngster hoping to be Red Bull's next F1 star
He contested one race last year, the Super Formula finale at Suzuka, but his season has been compromised by the COVID-19 crisis and travel restrictions that mean the 20-year-old has not been able to get to Japan.
Earlier this month he took part in the first rounds of the Formula Regional Europe series at Misano.
"I'm very thankful and happy for the opportunity that DAMS has given me," said Vips.
"I know it's going to be really difficult to just jump in with more than half the F2 season already completed, but I will do everything I can to give the team as strong a result as they deserve.
"I'm also looking forward to working alongside Dan, who I'm sure will help me get up to speed, and we will aim to get good points for the team."
The DAMS team management added: "It's always difficult for a team to have to change a driver during the season, especially in the way it's happened.
"Sean is very well integrated and close to every member of DAMS, so this hits us hard.
"Nevertheless, we have to push on and ensure Dan has a good team-mate for the upcoming races.
"We have the pleasure to bring on board Juri Vips, who's a very talented driver and has shown his pace in junior categories.
"It will be difficult to get started because he's never driven in F2, so Spa is going to be more of a test than a proper race weekend.
"He will have good support from the team, the engineers and Dan as well, so we hope for a strong start to the second half of the season."
Gelael was released from hospital on the evening of the Barcelona accident and on Wednesday he confirmed he will be out of action "for six weeks minimum".
In an Instagram post he wrote: "Hey guys, I'm back home in Jakarta as a result of the injury.
"I will be out for six weeks minimum, which will mean I will miss the majority of the races.
"It has been a very challenging season... And because of the support of all of you, we still keep working hard, we still keep faith, and we still thank God for everything."
Russell tips Ilott to beat Shwartzman to Formula 2 title
FIA to review Gelael's Barcelona F2 kerb incident
Las Vegas approves plan to shut Strip for F1 race until 2032
Officials in Las Vegas have approved a plan to shut the Strip for the Formula 1 grand prix for the next 10 years as they eye a “lifetime in partnership.”
Porsche boss “as surprised as anyone” over Gulf-Williams F1 social media frenzy
Porsche’s head of motorsport Thomas Laudenbach found it “funny” that streamlining its Instagram channels caused a Formula 1 social media speculation frenzy last month.
Why Albon won't be "throwing around laptops" to gain a 2023 F1 edge
OPINION: At the Williams 2023 Formula 1 season launch, Alex Albon’s easy-going nature was again a point of focus. But does being “too nice” really matter in modern F1? Albon’s own expressions put that in an intriguing new light
Why Alfa Romeo has kept its blade roll hoop on 2023 F1 car
The Alfa Romeo Formula 1 team has retained its unique blade roll hoop for the C43 but designed it to withstand load tests that the FIA will introduce in 2024.
Ranking the 10 best drivers from F1's junior series in 2022
The ladder to F1 never gets any less slippery. But a strong cast of Formula 3 and Formula 2 aces proved sure of foot as they continued their climbs in 2022
The next steps for France's latest F1 hopeful after an F2 title miss
Theo Pourchaire entered the 2022 Formula 2 season a firm favourite for the title after remaining with ART Grand Prix for a second season. But an unexpected charge from Felipe Drugovich and MP Motorsport meant the Frenchman was forced to settle for second. What went wrong for the Sauber protege, and where does he go from here?
The remarkable career turnaround of an ever-improving F2 talent
Sixth in the F2 standings heading into this month's final round, but within touching distance of third, Enzo Fittipaldi has quietly put together a strong first full season in the Formula 1 support series, recovering well from the scary Jeddah start crash that cut his 2021 campaign short. It marks a turn in fortunes for the Brazilian who thought he'd bid hopes of a career in Europe goodbye two years ago
What the future holds for two Red Bull juniors fighting in the F2 battleground
Despite having two talented drivers, albeit at very different stages of their careers, Prema Racing has had mixed fortunes in FIA Formula 2 this year. Both drivers told Autosport how they rate their seasons so far – and their next steps beyond 2022
The problem sausage kerbs continue to cause
Track limits are the problem that motorsport doesn't seem to be able to rid itself of. But the use of so-called 'sausage kerbs' as a deterrent has in several instances only served to worsen the problem, and a growing number of voices want to see action taken
The on-form F1 protege carrying America's hopes on his shoulders
Two feature race wins in as many rounds have helped Logan Sargeant to emerge as the closest challenger to runaway Formula 2 points leader Felipe Drugovich. The Williams F1 junior couldn't have timed his rise better, with interest in grand prix racing on the rise in his US homeland, and he could be his country's best shot at getting a driver on the grid for the first time since 2015
What racing in Australia means for the future of F1's junior series
The announcement that FIA Formula 2 and 3 would race alongside the Australian Grand Prix from 2023 came as a surprise, not only to fans but to the series’ teams too. But with Formula 1’s boom in popularity bringing more fans to the championships, team principals are relishing the opportunity
The other Doohan charting his way to motorsport success
Heading into FIA Formula 2 this season, there was a lot of pressure on Jack Doohan. The 2021 F3 runner-up joined a new team for his next challenge, as well as signing up to the Alpine Academy. He told Autosport how he’s tackling the step up - with some help from his motorcycle legend father
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.