Red Bull ruthlessly terminate driver's contract just seven months into deal
Kacper Sztuka has confirmed he has lost his place on Red Bull's junior programme after less than a year.
MP Motorsport driver Kacper Sztuka has revealed that he has lost his place on Red Bull's junior programme amid a difficult Formula 3 season. Red Bull have taken the ruthless decision to terminate the Polish teenager's contract after just four race weekends in 2024, prompting a determined statement on social media.
Sztuka joined the Red Bull Junior Team in November 2023 after winning the Formula Winter Series and Italian Formula 4 titles.
The 18-year-old took the step up to Formula 3 this year but has struggled to impress bosses after four races.
He currently sits 19th in the Drivers' Championship, with fifth place in the Imola sprint race his best result of the season - and his only points finish.
In Bahrain, Sztuka finished 20th in the sprint race and 28th in the Grand Prix. He was 16th and 18th in Australia before following up P5 in the Imola sprint with 15th in the GP.
Most recently, the starlet retired from the sprint in Monaco before crossing the line in 11th on race day. And he has since revealed that Red Bull have brutally cut him loose after a seven-month partnership.
"I wanted to share with you information about my development and further performances in Formula 3 in the current season," Sztuka wrote on X.
"In recent weeks, the contract with Red Bull's junior program was terminated at the partner's initiative.
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"Until the end of the cooperation, my starts, functioning in the team and the progress I made was positively assessed by all people working directly with me.
"Thank you very much to everyone who has been involved in the project that I have been a part of since November 2023.
"The above decision does not affect the assessment of the MP Motorsport team and our starting plans.
"In the 2024 season, thanks to the support of my sponsors, I intend to compete in all remaining rounds of the FIA Formula 3 Championship and continue to develop as a driver both on and off the track.
"My determination to be the fastest, win, and one day race against the best drivers in the world remains unchanged.
"Thank you for all your words of support. We are entering the final stage of preparations for the race in Barcelona. See you on the track!"
While Sztuka's qualifying performances left him with too much to do in the Grands Prix, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko reportedly didn't like his attitude.
The Pole will complete the 2024 F3 season with MP Motorsport before parting ways with the F1 constructors' champions.