Official: Red Bull Racing releases Wirdheim.

The Red Bull Racing team has announced that it has reached a 'mutual agreement' with Bjorn Wirdheim, releasing the Swede from his contract with immediate effect.

Although the 'agreement' allows the 2003 F3000 champion to pursue other opportunities for 2005, it is with some frustration that Wirdheim finds himself ousted from the operation which he served as test driver whilst under Ford operation in 2004.

His contract was due to expire at the end of December, and it was new owner Red Bull that took the decision to release Wirdheim early - something that the Swede feels is indicative of the team's desire to have drivers from its own stable racing in Red Bull colours next season.

"I would like to thank Bjorn for all of his help and support for the team over the last year," said Red Bull Racing team managing director David Pitchforth, "We wish him the best of luck in the future."

Wirdheim's suspicions that certain drivers have already been earmarked for race or test seats next season are underlined by the fact that David Coulthard - an experienced driver who could help the team develop its car in 2005 - has already been ruled out of the frame for 2005, and corroborated by the appearance of Christian Klien and Vitantonio Liuzzi in the cockpit during this week's Barcelona test.

According to rumours, Klien has already been offered a deal for next year, while F3000 champion Liuzzi is said to be in the frame for the second drive.

According to the Red Bull team, further evaluation of drivers will take place at Jerez [1-3 and 8-11 December], but will obviously do so without Wirdheim, who is expected to pursue a ride in the Champ Car World Series, having tested recently with the PKV team run by new Cosworth owner Kevin Kalkhoven.