Dennis Hauger, an Andretti Global driver, secured the 2025 Indy NXT title at the Milwaukee Mile by finishing second in the decisive race, outperforming his championship rival Caio Collet. Coming into the weekend, Hauger needed only to finish ahead of Collet to claim the championship.
The 22-year-old Norwegian made an impressive leap to the Indy NXT series for the 2025 season after competing in Formula 3 and Formula 2. Hauger’s strong start in the IndyCar ladder series quickly established him as a title contender.
Consistent Performance and Key Races Define Hauger’s Championship Run
Hauger dominated early in the season, winning four of the first five races. His momentum continued with a victory at Mid-Ohio and multiple podium finishes, including Road America, Iowa, and the first Laguna Seca race. He only finished outside the top three on three occasions during the year, demonstrating remarkable consistency.
At the previous race in Portland, Hauger’s win put him in a position where finishing ahead of Caio Collet at Milwaukee would secure the title. Hauger earned pole position for the race, while Collet started outside the top five.
Although Hauger was overtaken by teammate Salvador de Alba on the first lap and remained in second for the full 90 laps, his crucial placement ahead of Collet, who finished seventh, was enough to claim the championship in his rookie season.
Reflecting on a Remarkable Rookie Year in Indy NXT
After becoming the 2025 Indy NXT Champion, Hauger shared his thoughts on the season’s journey, expressing pride in his partnership with Andretti Global.
“It’s been an incredible season as a rookie with Andretti. Super proud to be a part of them and a part of this championship season. It’s been an incredible year. Few ups and downs, but mostly ups so, yeah, big thanks and super happy. A big championship win for me.” —Dennis Hauger, Driver
From European Junior Formulas to Indy NXT Success
Dennis Hauger’s motorsport journey began in junior Formula series, including British and Italian F4 championships. He progressed to Formula 3 in 2020 and secured the F3 championship in 2021 with PREMA Racing. Following that, he competed in Formula 2 across three seasons, racing for Prema Racing and MP Motorsport, with his best overall finish being eighth in the standings.
Previously a member of the Red Bull Junior Team, Hauger chose to transition from European open-wheel racing to the American scene by joining Andretti Global’s Indy NXT team in 2025. His six race victories this season, capped by his performance at the Milwaukee Mile, established him as the series champion in his first year.
Significance of Hauger’s 2025 Indy NXT Championship
Dennis Hauger’s championship triumph as a rookie not only highlights his talent and rapid adaptation to the Indy NXT series but also marks him as a rising star in American open-wheel racing. His breakthrough performance sets a strong foundation for potential future success in IndyCar’s top tiers, while further cementing Andretti Global’s competitive stature.
