Written by Archie O’Reilly
There has been a growing trend of drivers moving from Formula 2 to IndyCar in recent years: Christian Lundgaard, Callum Ilott, Marcus Armstrong, Juri Vips, Theo Pourchaire.
But Dennis Hauger is doing things a little bit differently.
The 2021 Formula 3 champion has spent three seasons in F2, taking four race wins and finishing a best of eighth in the standings in 2023. But despite the opportunity to continue for a fourth season, Hauger felt it was time to explore pastures new.
“I had good offers going into another season of F2 if I wanted to,” Hauger said. “There were opportunities there for me with a pretty good deal. But for me, it didn’t really make sense to do another year. If I won that year, it wouldn’t have been as impressive.”
So with the view that even an F2 championship in 2025 probably would not carry the same weight - possibly with a Formula One future in mind - Hauger decided to make a pivot. The United States and Indy NXT, as opposed to IndyCar, came calling.
“I didn’t really need convincing,” Hauger said. “I didn’t have to think about it twice.
“For me, going into something new, something refreshing for my mind and my motivation and to get into a different path is the right choice. And Indy NXT felt like a really good option. It’s a good championship and it really gives you the opportunity to go further.”
While a lot of his peers from F2 have made the jump directly to IndyCar, limited available seats and financial barriers meant this was not so plausible for Hauger. But he is seeing the positives of spending a year in North America’s premier feeder series with Andretti Global.
“I think there are several good things about it: getting used to the tracks, the environment with the teams, creating connections,” Hauger said. “I think there’s a lot of good factors about starting in Indy NXT.
“Just trying to create a name for myself in the States, I think that’s an important thing as well. But overall it was a smart choice. And I know we don’t have the opportunity to bring in budgets like that, for example, going into IndyCar, which some other drivers from Europe have been able to.
“So for me to go down this path to prove myself is a good opportunity.”
Hauger is not unfamiliar with the American racing culture. He grew up watching the Indianapolis 500 as well as NASCAR, with four-time Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon inspiring the use of the No.24 early in Hauger’s racing career.
“I’ve always loved the racing here and loved the sort of mindset that goes on here compared to Europe,” Hauger said. “It’s definitely not easy to get to IndyCar straight away coming from Europe.
“I think doing what I’m doing now trying to get a name, trying to prove myself and show the results over here is a good thing. Indy NXT is a good opportunity for me. The goal now is IndyCar.”
Hauger has already tested the NXT car with Andretti on multiple occasions. And while he is unfamiliar with the tracks and style of racing, including driving on ovals, he has been atop the time sheets in test sessions and is still setting a high bar for himself.
“My aim is to win the championship,” he said. “And I know there’s a high level, there’s a lot of new tracks, ovals are going to be a new thing. So there’s a lot of factors for me. But the genuine pace we’ve had in testing and the work with the team has been great.
“Feeling comfortable with the car and getting up to speed every time we go out. So definitely not here to finish second. I’m here to do the job and work hard with the team to achieve what we want. So I’m not going to take it lightly but I think we have an opportunity to do well.”
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