Dennis Hauger was simply sensational as he dominated on his Indy NXT debut at St. Pete last weekend as the 2025 season got going. Fastest in FP1, second in FP2, taking pole in qualifying, controlling the race: it was a masterclass.
Dennis Hauger left a bit surprised by his dominant start to the 2025 Indy NXT season at St. Pete
At Sebring in testing ahead of the season, Hauger went fastest. A marker was put down immediately, and it was a sign of things to come following his demolition of the field last weekend.
Nonetheless, the 21-year-old from Norway was surprised at just how good an event it was.
“Yeah, definitely [a nice start]. Didn’t expect to be straight up there like that, but we definitely had a good weekend as a team as well. I think the pace was strong for the most of us.
“Yeah, just had a clean run. Tried to keep it clean up front and not do anything crazy.
“We had a few safety cars and a few restarts, but managed it well and super happy to, yeah, end the weekend on top.”
Gaining critical knowledge on different areas
Following his move over from F2 where he won five races across three seasons, the 2021 F3 champion faced plenty of new tasks heading into St. Pete.
Indy NXT cars are lighter compared to F2, and they use Firestones versus Pirellis on the tyre side of things. He also faced a rolling start as the cars go side-by-side on each row, something they don’t do in Formula 2.
Hauger also praised Andretti for the great car they gave him. Teammate and fellow rookie Lochie Hughes was a solid P2.
“Yeah, there’s a lot of new things this weekend for me… restarts itself, cold tyres, not really sure how the Firestone tyres are reacting, but it went really well. Took about half a lap, a lap, and we were good to go again.
“So yeah, it felt nice and it felt smooth, and Andretti gave me a good car to be up there comfortably. So, happy with that.”
The comfortable feeling he has on street circuits
The win from Dennis Hauger at St. Pete in the opening round of the 2025 Indy NXT season is not his first on a famous street circuit. He previously won in F2 at Monaco, and at Albert Park in Melbourne.
The Norwegian driver explained how much he enjoys the challenge of them.
“I mean, I generally love street courses, just being close to the limit with the walls and really [a lot of] bumpiness. You got so many different factors on a street course, and you really just have to feel your way through it at some point.
“Yeah, I just enjoy it. I don’t know why, but somehow I managed to be up there on every street course I’ve been to.
“Definitely a good way to start the season, and overall I hope we can keep it up from there.”
Racing in the United States versus Europe
Not for the first time, a question was put to a European(-based) driver about what is different between racing in F2 or F3 versus in the United States, whether it’s Indy NXT or IndyCar.
The five-time F2 winner is very much enjoying how he can push and lean on the Firestones. In Formula 2 with the Pirellis, it’s very much a case of managing the tyres throughout a race distance at most events.
The lack of politics also seems refreshing for Dennis Hauger as he goes for the title in his maiden Indy NXT season following that dominant win at St. Pete to kick off 2025.
“I was thinking about that earlier as well, and I got the question before. I think the easiest word to describe it is that it’s just pure racing — I think that’s a really cool thing.
“You go out there, and you are really pushing the limits. With these tyres you can.
“Overall just the racing itself, it’s a bit different in terms of some rules here and there.
“But overall it’s just, you’re fighting to win, and that’s a cool thing out there I think we don’t really have anywhere else.”
Previewing the next round at Barber
Towards the end of 2024, drivers got a chance to sample Barber Motorsports Park in a test session.
It should lead to a more difficult weekend against his competition. Nonetheless, Dennis Hauger seems confident of more big points next time out.
“Overall we keep working in the shop as a team and simulator and data, just go through everything.
“Everyone has tested at Barber once earlier at the end of last year. So everyone goes in with a bit of experience, probably more than here, and knows what to expect.
“We just need to keep working, as we have so far. Seems to be working well. Yeah, just do the job there as well.”
Championship standings can be found here.
