Turns out a rising F1 star wasn't fired for using N-word — he was demoted instead and never missed a race

• F1 backup driver Juri Vips was caught using the N-word while playing an online video game.
• Red Bull announced that they terminated his contract but later clarified that he is still in their program.

Former Red Bull backup driver Juri Vips is still a member of the team despite being caught using the N-word.

One week after Oracle Red Bull Racing announced that it had terminated Vips' contract as a Formula One test and reserve driver, the team clarified that Estonian driver still remains a member of their junior program, according to ESPN.

According to Asher Fair of Beyond the Flag, videos shared on social media showed Vips saying, "Bitch [N-word]" while on a Twitch live stream. Vips was playing "Call of Duty: Warzone" with fellow Red Bull junior driver Liam Lawson.

In their statement clarifying that Vips was still in their junior driver program, Red Bull noted that they "are supporting him as he transitions away from his role with Oracle Red Bull Racing." The junior program helps younger drivers move up the ranks to F1, but some end up with other teams.

Vips also competes in F2 for HiTech Grand Prix. He has not missed a race since the suspension, and there is no evidence the team has punished him.

In a statement, the team principal, Oliver Oakes, said he wants to give Vips a chance to redeem himself.

"I have made the decision for Jüri to keep his F2 seat with HiTech for the remainder of the season, a decision we have seriously debated," Oakes said. "Allowing him to complete his season with HiTech is an opportunity for him to demonstrate, through his actions, the type of person he is. I have made it clear that I think the language used was totally unacceptable, but I choose to give him the chance to redeem himself."

Red Bull initially suspended Vips pending an investigation and then announced that it had terminated his contract a week later. The 21-year-old completed his first F1 test drive earlier this season before the race in Spain.

Vips issued an apology on Instagram before the contract was terminated, saying he deeply regretted the incident and would cooperate with the investigation.