Dennis Hauger wins his first Indy NXT

      Last fall, we reported that Dennis Hauger, a 21-year-old racing driver from Oslo, has signed a contract with Andretti Global and will compete in the Indy NXT American youth series in 2025.

      His debut weekend overseas was more than successful: Dennis won the pole, led from start to finish and brought the race on the St. Petersburg city circuit to victory. At the same time, on the way to the finish line, recording the fastest lap.

      Four years ago, another representative of Scandinavian motorsport distinguished himself in a similar way: in 2021, Swede Linus Lundqvist also won the first race in this championship, which was then called Indy Lights.

      Hauger became a Formula 3 champion that year, after which he spent three seasons in F2, and now he has immediately distinguished himself in a new series for him, driving a car that he has not yet fully adapted to, and also on the track, which he met only this weekend.

      "It was fun! – Dennis commented after the winning finish. – It was my first time on this track, but we found a good rhythm, and the car worked perfectly. The team did an incredibly good job with all their tasks this weekend, so I'm very pleased. Such a good start to the season will definitely add to our confidence!"

      The victory in St. Petersburg was a worthy gift that Hauger made for himself on his 22nd birthday: the Norwegian racer will celebrate his birthday on March 16.

      Andretti Global's other debutant, Australian Loki Hughes, also performed well, taking 2nd place, and he was accompanied on the podium by Brazilian Ciao Collet, a former participant in the Alpine youth program, whom we also remember from Formula 3.

      European motorsport is also represented at Indy NXT this season by German racer Sofia Flersch, who yesterday took 12th place among 21 participants in the race.

      The next stage of this series is scheduled for May 4 – it will be a race at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama.