German Sebastian Vettel is one of the biggest names in the Formula 1 circus. He has won the World Cup title four times with Red Bull and has 53 Grand Prix victories since 2007.

In other words, the 34-year-old knows what it takes to be the best in this increasingly popular sport. And soon he thinks a Norwegian is in the same company.

– I think you’ll have one soon. Dennis Hauger seems like a smart, good lad, and he’s impressed in recent years. I think if he is humble and continues to enjoy it then he will have his chance in Formula 1, Vettel told NRK.

The veteran gained dominance from the Norwegian in Formula 3 last season. When NRK meets him as part of the “Race of Champions” at the beginning of February, he makes a clear appeal to Hauger:

– He just has to be himself, not overthinking, not overthinking, Vettel says and thinks Hauger has to avoid a trap:

– He shouldn’t try to be too smart.

Vettel is aiming for the Norman not to get too smart, take unnecessary risks or allow himself to be stressed into making hasty decisions.

– When I look back (on my own career) there is a lot to applaud, the star driver says of the possibilities of competing in Formula 1.

Schumacher Roses

Hauger was superb in Formula 3 in 2021. He took the overall victory in the third top tier for Prema Racing. Thus, it was almost inevitable that he would get his chance in Formula 2. The next step is Formula 1.

– I think he’s doing a good job. He won the championship last year by a good margin, Haas driver Mick Schumacher, who is the son of legend Michael Schumacher, told NRK.

He made his Formula 1 debut in the 2021 season after taking a similar route to what many believe and hope Hauger will go, namely securing a seat after driving for Prema Racing.

– He just has to have time and not rush. He has to do his job, and Prema just has to show what they did to me. I’m sure everything will be fine, Schumacher said.

Hauger himself is trying not to pressure himself in the coming season. But he likes to be praised by such great profiles.

– It’s really cool. We run the same race, so naturally you follow the courses around you a bit. I know Mick a little better (than Vettel), so it’s really cool to see him following. Sebastian Vettel is someone I’ve followed since I was little, and it’s cool to be noticed, says Hauger.

There’s a lot of news waiting for him, and he’ll be driving a car that looks a lot more like a Formula 1 car than he’s driven before.

Also, it is new for Hauger that he will now make a pit stop during the race.

– I think it’s an important season ahead. I’m a rookie in my first season in Formula 2, so I don’t put unnecessary pressure on myself. There are a lot of things I need to learn and a lot of things I need to feel confident about. I have to try to show constant development and increase in terms of results and then we’ll see, says Hauger.

– Hauge is fine

But it is of course easier said than done to reach the most generous company in motorsport. You would think that Oscar Piastri, who won first Formula 3 and then Formula 2, would have his chance at the top level. He hasn’t received it yet.

– It’s not just about being good in Formula 2, because there has to be a vacancy in Formula 1. But I think Dennis Hauger is doing well there, because he’s part of the Red system Bull, says Viaplay commentator Atle Gulbrandsen.

– Red Bull has four drivers in Formula 1, and I think it will open doors there. As long as Dennis performs well on the pitch, I think he will have a chance in Formula 1.

Gulbrandsen still believes there are certain things Hauger needs to keep in mind when taking the next step.

– The pitfall is that it doesn’t deal with the complexity of driving a Formula 2 car. It’s much more advanced than a Formula 3 car. It’s more reminiscent of a Formula 1 car, and there’s more to think about when driving than just driving and braking. The pitfall is that he does not have to face it, but I think he can do it, believes the commentator.

– If Dennis Hauger comes to Formula 1, I think he will be one of the greatest we have had in Norwegian sport. Formula 1 is a global sport, concludes Gulbrandsen.