Juri Vips is looking to reignite his racing career and land a full-time seat in IndyCar in 2025.
The Estonian has spent the majority of his career so far in the junior categories and was part of the Red Bull junior team.
However, Vips was dropped by Red Bull in 2022 during his third season in Formula 2 with Hitech Grand Prix. Despite losing his backing, he finished the season in 11th place with one win and five podiums.
After F2, Vips turned his attention to IndyCar and had private tests with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing at Sebring in 2022 and Barber in 2023.
These tests would ultimately lead to his IndyCar debut as he was drafted in replace Jack Harvey for the final two races of 2023 at Portland and Laguna Seca.
Juri Vips must secure sponsorship if he is to drive with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in 2025
Vips finished 18th on debut at Portland and 24th at laguna Seca to finish 33rd in the standings with 18 points. Despite impressing RLL, the 24-year-old was snubbed of a full-time seat in 2024, instead going to Pietro Fittipaldi.
READ MORE: Every IndyCar Series team’s confirmed driver line-up for the 2025 season
The Estonian would return to RLL again at Portland this season, this time driving the No. 75 entry where he finished 19th and scored 11 points.
Now, Vips is eyeing the team’s third seat for 2025 and has been tipped as the favourite to get his chance. Speaking on the Marshall Pruett Podcast, Pruett revealed what is standing in the way of RLL making the signing.
“Juri is signed to RLL, as he has been for more than a year. But as to whether he will get elevated to a race seat… sponsorship,” he said.
“Getting their sponsorship for the No. 45 car that Christian Lundgaard’s vacated. That is top priority for them, and once that gets solved then signing a driver will certainly be [the] number one thing to get accomplished.”
Can Juri Vips get onto the IndyCar grid in 2025?
RLL will be running two new drivers in 2025 with Graham Rahal remaining with the team next year, while Christian Lundgaard departs for McLaren and Fittipaldi is left without a seat.
Indy NXT champion Louis Foster will be joining the IndyCar series with RLL next year after coming off the back of an incredible campaign with eight wins and 12 podiums.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Louis Foster from career stats to praise
Vips will be desperate to land a full-time seat in 2025 and revive his racing career after his dismissal from Red Bull and the fact that he has not had a proper stint in a professional category.
There are a lot of options out there to consider for Bobby Rahal who is looking ‘long-term’ for his drivers in the future. Vips certainly fits that bill and it will be interesting to see who RLL end up signing alongside Rahal and Foster for 2025.