Jüri Vips, who made a successful debut season in the Formula 3 European Championship, will join the junior programme of the Red Bull F1 team, according to the prestigious publication Autosport.
The 18-year-old Estonian took four stage wins in the recently concluded F3 European Championship season and secured fourth place overall. In the last race, he had the chance to go for second overall and the rookie championship title, but was spoiled by a collision with national rival Ralf Aron. The rookie title therefore went to Aron's teammate Robert Shwartzman.
From next season, the F3 European Championship will be merged with its F1 sister series GP3, and Autosport writes that Vips will drive for the ART Grand Prix World Championship team next season. Vips and Helmut Marko, head of Red Bull's driver programme, reportedly shook hands on the penultimate stage of this season.
Neither Autosport nor Postime could reach Vips and his mentor Marko Asmer for comment.
