Red Bull has confirmed that Dan Ticktum has been dropped from its junior scheme.
Red Bull has used its long-standing young driver programme to promote junior drivers into Formula 1, with the likes of Sebastian Vettel, Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo having been part of the scheme.
Double Macau Grand Prix victor Ticktum joined the scheme for 2017, having served a ban from racing for a previous incident, and last year placed runner-up in Formula 3.
Red Bull had identified Ticktum as a potential candidate for a Toro Rosso seat but he lacked the required Super Licence points and experience.
Ticktum was instead placed in the Japan-based Super Formula championship but scored just one point from the opening three events.
The 20-year-old also tested for Red Bull during post-race running in Bahrain and Spain, alongside carrying out duties in its simulator.
On Friday it was confirmed that he is no longer part of the junior scheme.
“It’s a scheme that is results based and he’s had a tough time in Japan and it wasn’t working out,” Red Bull boss Christian Horner told Sky Sports F1.
“He was a member of the junior team and it was decided that he wasn’t the right guy moving forward as an option for either us or Toro Rosso, therefore the sums were called.
“He was given the shot, he was given the opportunity. It’s up to these guys to grab that with both hands."