Hauger joined the Crimson Bull junior scheme for his first 12 months of automotive racing again in 2018, and went on to win the FIA Formulation 3 title in 2021 with the power drink large’s help.
Nonetheless, the Norwegian’s two seasons in F2 since then have fallen wanting expectations, as he may solely handle tenth general final 12 months driving for Prema and sits eighth this season forward of this weekend’s finale in Abu Dhabi after transferring to MP Motorsport.
Regardless of shedding Crimson Bull’s help, Hauger will stay in F2 subsequent season with MP.
Chatting with Autosport eventually weekend’s Macau Grand Prix, Hauger revealed that he was knowledgeable by Crimson Bull advisor Helmut Marko as early as July’s Spa spherical that he wouldn’t be retained for 2024, however mentioned he accepts the “brutal” nature of such choices.
“I obtained the message to fulfill him [Marko] in Spa simply earlier than qualifying, after which we talked for 20 minutes,” mentioned Hauger. “Clearly I hoped for lots extra this season as effectively.
“We may have been up there if issues had gone our approach at sure factors, however ultimately, we have now to only put that behind us and do every little thing we will for subsequent season as a result of it will likely be my final in F2 and an vital one to attempt to make that final step [to F1].”
Requested if he felt Crimson Bull ought to have given him extra time, he replied: “Helmut is Helmut, he might be brutal! We will agree or disagree about it, however I need to thank them for the years we had collectively.
“It may open extra doorways subsequent 12 months if I do effectively. Possibly they are going to want me again! I’ve no contract [with an F1 team], so I’m open to any likelihood.”
Second the ‘most’ for Hauger at Macau
Hauger was a last-minute addition to the Macau grid for the revival of the FIA F3 World Cup, as he changed an injured Franco Colapinto at MP.
Beginning the ultimate race fifth on the grid, Hauger took benefit of early crashes for Alex Dunne and Dino Beganovic earlier than passing Paul Aron to maneuver up into third place.
After Aron’s fiery crash on the purple flag interval that adopted, Hauger was capable of get forward of Gabriele Mini on the restart and problem eventual winner Luke Browning into Lisboa, however couldn’t make the transfer stick, ending up second.
Reflecting on his close to miss, Hauger mentioned that beginning the qualifying race eighth compromised his possibilities and that he was glad to have the ability to take the combat to the front-running groups.
“For positive Hitech and Prema have been actually fast this weekend, so I really feel like we maximised the potential we had,” mentioned Hauger. “I used to be simply on the again foot the entire weekend, beginning P8 [for the qualifying race] and P5 [for the final].
“However we’ve been going step-by-step, getting higher each session, and ultimately, we had been faster than the Prema guys, simply behind Luke and capable of problem him.
“I attempted to squeeze him a bit to the within and I braked as late as I may, I hoped he would possibly get nervous on the braking and again out, however he didn’t hand over.
“I gave 120%, it was all or nothing. We’ve completed a superb job, nevertheless it was the utmost we may do.”