F1 Bull Dennis Hauger determined to show ‘many positives’ in first Dale Coyne IndyCar test ahead of rookie season to rival Mick Schumacher in 2026 season as fans relive INDYCAR glory after 27 years
Dennis Hauger, the former Red Bull junior and reigning Indy NXT champion, emerged from his inaugural IndyCar test with Dale Coyne Racing expressing optimism despite an early setback. The 22-year-old Norwegian driver, who dominated the 2025 Indy NXT season with six wins and 13 top-10 finishes, took to the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course last week for a rookie evaluation session. Although a crash halted his morning run, Hauger highlighted “a lot of positives” from the experience, signaling his readiness for a full-time leap into the NTT IndyCar Series in 2026.
Hauger’s move to Dale Coyne Racing marks a pivotal shift in his career trajectory. After stints in Formula 3, where he clinched the 2021 title, and Formula 2, the Oslo native found himself sidelined from Formula 1 aspirations amid Red Bull’s competitive junior program. Joining Andretti Global’s Indy NXT squad in 2025 proved transformative, as he led the team to multiple victories and secured the championship with a dominant performance at Portland, clinching Rookie of the Year honors along the way. The technical partnership between Dale Coyne and Andretti for 2026 provides Hauger with enhanced resources, including engineering support and simulator time, to bridge the gap from feeder series to IndyCar’s high-stakes ovals, road courses, and street circuits.
The test at Mid-Ohio served as Hauger’s first taste of an IndyCar machine, a Dallara DW12 chassis powered by a hybrid V6 engine. Despite the incident that brought out the red flag, Hauger adapted quickly to the car’s downforce and braking demands, noting the “pretty cool” sensation of hustling through the 2.258-mile track’s technical layout. Additional tests are slated before his debut at the St. Petersburg street course on March 1, 2026, allowing him to refine setup preferences and build mileage. Hauger’s prior experience with Red Bull’s demanding development program, including reserve duties for the F1 team, has instilled a resilient mindset. “I’m excited to be joining Dale Coyne Racing and can’t wait to get started in IndyCar,” he stated post-announcement, emphasizing his hunger for consistent results.
Adding intrigue to Hauger’s rookie campaign is the potential rivalry with Mick Schumacher, the son of seven-time F1 world champion Michael Schumacher. The German driver, who competed in F1 with Haas from 2021 to 2022 and now serves as Alpine’s factory endurance racer, is eyeing a return to single-seaters via IndyCar. Schumacher is scheduled for a test with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course later this month, putting him on a collision course with Hauger in the 2026 grid. Both drivers share similar profiles: young talents with European pedigrees seeking redemption after F1 doors closed. While Hauger brings fresh momentum from his NXT title, Schumacher’s experience in high-profile series could make for compelling on-track battles, especially as teams like Dale Coyne and RLL vie for midfield supremacy.
For fans, Hauger’s arrival evokes a sense of revived glory in IndyCar, particularly after 27 years without a Norwegian presence in the series’ upper echelons. As the first from his country to secure a top-tier seat since the early 1990s open-wheel era, Hauger represents a new chapter for Scandinavian motorsport enthusiasts. The excitement mirrors the broader resurgence in IndyCar, with technical alliances bolstering smaller teams and attracting global talent. Social media buzzed with reactions to Hauger’s signing, from Norwegian supporters hailing it as a “historic moment” to American fans anticipating the fresh blood in a series known for its parity and unpredictability.
Dale Coyne Racing, a fixture since 1995, has nurtured underdogs into stars, and Hauger’s addition fits that mold. The team’s alliance with Andretti promises improved competitiveness, potentially challenging established midfielders. As the 2026 schedule unfolds—featuring 17 races including the iconic Indianapolis 500—Hauger aims not just to survive but to shine. His test feedback underscores a driver undeterred by adversity, focused on extracting every ounce of performance from the No. 51 car.
In a landscape where IndyCar continues to draw F1 expatriates, Hauger’s story underscores the series’ allure as a proving ground. With Schumacher lurking as a rival, the stage is set for a rookie showdown that could redefine their careers. For now, Hauger looks ahead, determined to translate those “many positives” into podiums and perhaps, one day, a taste of IndyCar’s enduring legacy.
