Vips considers himself lucky: 'Privilege to drive championship-winning car'

Not only Max Verstappen was at the Abu Dhabi circuit today for the Pirelli test, Juri Vips was also present. He is driving in the Young Driver Test this week and seems more than happy with this opportunity.

Each team takes a young driver with them this week, including Dutchman Nyck de Vries for Mercedes. Vips has been part of the Red Bull Junior Team, Red Bull Racing's training programme, since 2018.

"I have been looking forward to this test for a while now, it is such a privilege to drive a Formula One car, even more so a Championship-winning one", Vips begins in Red Bull Racing's official press release.

'I'm super happy'

Drivers can gain a lot of experience from such tests, especially since there are fewer and fewer testing opportunities in Formula 1 these days. Vips has mainly been working on confirming last season's results.

"It took my brain some time to get used to the speed of the RB16B because the pace is just crazy but then it is like any other car and you just get used to it and do your job. I had a small moment in the afternoon but fortunately everything was okay and I was back in the car soon after. I am super fortunate, first to be working with Red Bull Racing Honda but secondly to get the opportunity to drive this car.”