Estonian driver Juri Vips will contest his first races in the IndyCar series, having been called up by Rahal Letterman Lanigan to see out the 2023 season.
RLL had released regular driver Jack Harvey with three races to spare in the campaign as it looked to evaluate its options for the coming year – with Harvey no longer part of its plans after two largely disappointing seasons.
Vips, who turned 23 earlier this month, tested with Rahal twice over the course of the past 12 month, both times on road courses, and will now slot in for the races at Portland and Laguna Seca after Conor Daly drove the Harvey-vacated #60 car on the Gateway oval.
Team co-owner Bobby Rahal said he was “very pleased” to be giving Vips his IndyCar debut.
“Clearly, he was the lead Red Bull Junior driver a few years ago and exhibited a lot of talent, which we saw during the two tests he ran with us so we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do on a race weekend,” Rahal added.
Vips indeed spent some time as the lead name on Red Bull’s F1 conveyor belt, having joined the energy drink giant’s programme back in 2018.
He progressed up the ranks, becoming a Formula 2 race winner and an F1 reserve, test and development driver – making his grand prix weekend debut in FP1 with Red Bull during last year’s Spanish Grand Prix.
Later that year, he was suspended by Red Bull for his apparent use of a racial slur during a gaming livestream, and he was ultimately released from its programme.
“I haven’t been driving all year so the anticipation for this opportunity has been immense but I’m really looking forward to starting again,” said Vips of the Rahal gig.
“We tested together at the end of 2022 in Sebring and it seemed like we just gelled. I got along with everyone and I really like the atmosphere at the team.
“Bobby’s also one to give second chances and I’m extremely grateful that he is giving me one and I really hope to bring a good result for him, Mike [Lanigan] and the whole team.”
