ERR News wrote on January 2 that Vips was considered a serious contender for a Formula One seat with Red Bull Racing, where he also belongs to the team's Junior Academy.

The 19-year-old Vips has currently collected 20 of the necessary 40 points for the FIA Super License, which allows a holder to compete in the FIA Formula One World Championship. Achieving at least second place in the FIA Formula 3 Regional European Championship (FREC) next season would give him 20 points, which would fulfil the toughest requirement for getting a FIA Super License.

Vips' mentor and former British Formula 3 champion Marko Asmer, told Delfi Sport (link in Estonian): "Yes, collecting points would be simpler in Europe - nobody should be able to match Vips's speed, but the priority is to compete in Japan with more powerful cars."

Asmer commented on the decision to compete in FREC until travel is allowed to Japan: "Currently there is no way to get to Japan from Europe, but there are talks that borders could be opened in July. Vips got his work visa so that shouldn't be a problem. But still, nobody knows what the situation will be in a month or two, so it is critical to secure our position."

Vips placed fourth in last year's Formula 3 season with a move to Japanese Super Formula planned for the second part of 2020, but with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, competing in the FREC gives the 19-year-old an opportunity to remain on form.

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