Juri Vips, the former driver for the Red Bull Junior Team, is set to rejoin the IndyCar Series at Portland next month, participating in a fourth entry for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.
The ex-Red Bull F1 reserve driver will pilot the team’s #75 Honda-powered vehicle at the Oregon circuit, which hosted his series debut last year where he secured an 18th-place finish.
He will join teammates Pietro Fittipaldi, Christian Lundgaard, and Graham Rahal. The primary sponsor for this entry, AMADA, previously supported two-time Indianapolis 500 champion Takuma Sato’s one-off appearance earlier this year.
This outing will represent the 23-year-old Estonian’s third-ever start in IndyCar, having competed in last year’s season finale at Laguna Seca, where he began in 13th but ended up 24th due to a multi-car incident on the opening lap.
“I am extremely thankful to the team for this opportunity,” Vips stated. “I have been closely collaborating with the team on the simulator program, and although it has been a year since I was last in the car, I believe the experience I gained at Portland and Laguna Seca will enable me to get up to speed swiftly.
Juri Vips, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda, crash
Photo by: Jake Galstad / Motorsport Images
“It will undoubtedly be a significant challenge, but I eagerly anticipate it.”
Before his debut last year, Vips initially tested an Indy car for RLL at Sebring in October 2022, followed by another trial at Barber Motorsports Park on March 12, 2023.
Since then, he has remained part of RLL’s driver lineup, focusing on simulator testing.
Team owner Bobby Rahal commented, “He demonstrated at Portland and Laguna Seca last year that he certainly possesses the pace to compete at any event with us.
“His extensive simulator work this year has provided us invaluable insights into the hybrid system, so it’s gratifying to reward his efforts. I am hopeful this will pave the way for more races for him at RLL.”
