In 2025, Dennis Hauger traded the European racing of Formula 2 for the equivalent in US Racing, Indy NXT. It’s a series where he had hit the ground running, leading the championship with three victories in four races.
Despite many European drivers needing time to adjust to the culture and racing differences when moving stateside, Hauger has shown he is at home instantly, even admitting the Indy NXT paddock feels ‘right’.
When speaking exclusively to Pit Debrief recently, Hauger explained extensively about how going Stateside has reinvigorated him.
“The atmosphere and the environment in the IndyCar and Indy NXT paddock has been honestly just awesome to be in. It just feels like I’m in a really happy place right now with the team and the vibe.
“It feels right. So that’s something I haven’t felt in a paddock in a long time. And as you said, in F2, F1 and in those ladders, it’s just a bit of a different mindset, I would say, around the people.”
Change in environment
“But over here, just the whole paddock is, even the fans, it’s just a bit different. So it’s been really cool, to be honest.
“And again, a bit different, just wrapping my head around that. But it’s been definitely one of the most enjoyable parts of the season so far.”
American racing is often praised in comparison to the accessibility in European racing. It allows followers of the sport to get closer to the racing and drivers, with a far more friendly and relaxed atmosphere in the paddocks.
“I think that’s what makes it a bit unique as well, to be on the track, and you really get to see everything up close from the grid to the fans on stuff.
“And just, you know, you get to see drivers and fans walking around the paddock and just saying hi to each other. You don’t see that in F2 and F1 at all.”
The Norwegian also noted how the differences have left him with a renewed sense of happiness being in the paddock.
“It feels like you’re a child again, just loving what you do and having fun at the track. Obviously, it’s still at a very high level, being serious with the team and working really hard. But yeah, just enjoying the time, really.”
Is the F1 feeder series system failing young drivers?
In the last few seasons of Formula 2 and Formula 3, there has been a growing conversation around whether they are actually a success.
In the last three years, only one of the champions in F2 has actually reached Formula 1. A few drivers have who have did not even finish inside the top 3. Nikita Mazepin and Logan Sargeant are two examples.
Hauger has previously mentioned that his reasoning for moving stateside came from the lack of opportunities and progression in the European feeder series ladder.
With one of the biggest criticisms for the European ladder being the cost it takes for drivers, Hauger pointed out the difference in the US and the help Lochie Hughes has got making his way through the ranks.
“I was surprised when I came over here, actually. First of all, if you, for example, are looking at my teammate Lochie [Hughes] winning the USF Pro 2000 championship and getting a scholarship to move up to Indy NXT, then it covers a decent amount of that budget going into the next season.
“We don’t have that in F4, F3, F2 in the same way. And it just really over here, it gives you the opportunity 100 percent to take that next step if you perform. And I think that’s a really cool thing that I haven’t seen anywhere else. Definitely not over in F3, F2.”
The Norwegian noted his own experiences after winning F3 and yet still fighting for sponsorship to make it to F2.
“When I won the F3 championship, we were still like on a really high work off season to try and get everything ready for an F2 season, which is even higher. And it’s always really hard.”
The money behind it
As has been pointed out time and time again, the drivers with the bigger budgets find it easier to progress through the series, especially with some F2 teams having more potential in the series than others.
This was something Hauger touched on.
“Guys coming up from F2 to F1 not being in the top 10 of the championship or top five. I don’t think that’s the right way to do it, to be honest. And some of the guys it is because of money. It’s simple as that. A lot of money behind it. Big countries behind with big budgets.”
Some drivers in the feeder series have also been lucky with their F1 team connections, allowing them to take part in FP1 sessions or private tests via TPC, regardless of their place in the standings. Roy Nissany is one example of that.
Hauger wants the series to have a larger focus on meritocracy, rather than budget, citing 2023 F2 champion Theo Pourchaire as an example alongside himself.
“Some guys, they deserve it for sure. I mean, like, I think guys like, for example, Pourchaire deserve the chance. I think I at least deserve a test, winning the F3 championship.
“I’ve seen guys finishing P5 in F3 championships and getting a chance still or outside top 10 in F2. So as we said before, it’s a lot of political stuff that’s making all this mess. But it would be nice to see you guys winning F2 championships, getting the chance at least in F1.”
