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Former Ferrari protege Brandon Maisano has parted company with Prema Powerteam with immediate effect, mid-way through the Red Bull Ring Formula 3 European Championship weekend.

The 22-year-old Frenchman had been affiliated with Prema since 2012, when he finished third in Italian F3 with the team.

He returned to try to revitalise his career with the squad in Italian Formula 4 last year after a difficult 2013 and earned a European F3 seat alongside Lance Stroll, Felix Rosenqvist and Jake Dennis for this season.

Prema finished one-two in Saturday morning's opening race at the Red Bull Ring with Dennis and Rosenqvist, while Maisano was only 26th.

The team then announced that he was leaving and would not contest the rest of the weekend.

Team boss Rene Rosin said: "We are saddened for the end of the long-time relationship with Brandon, who scored brilliant results with us in the Italian Formula 3 Championship and in the Italian Formula 4 series last year.

"I wish Brendon a successful future in his next career endeavours."

Maisano had yet to finish on the podium in the European series, with a front row start and fourth place at Spa his highlight of the early rounds. He is currently 12th in the championship.