Former Formula 3 champion and Indy NXT title-holder Dennis Hauger joins Foyt – is former Formula 2 troublemaker Santino Ferrucci out?
A.J. Foyt Enterprises has secured the services of Dennis Hauger with a multi-year contract starting from the 2027 season. The 23-year-old Norwegian beat Mick Schumacher in the battle for the ‘Rookie of the Year’ title in the IndyCar Series in 2026 and will take the wheel of the #14 Dallara-Chevrolet next year.
Hauger, jokingly dubbed the “Norwegian Nightmare” by US commentators, arrived in the US in 2025, dominated Indy NXT with six wins and claimed the title as a rookie, before making a seamless transition to the IndyCar Series.
His track record in Europe includes the 2019 Italian Formula 4 Championship, the 2021 Formula 3 title, five wins in Formula 2 and a lengthy spell with the Red Bull Junior Team.
For team president Larry Foyt, Hauger’s versatility is the deciding factor: “Dennis has already achieved a great deal for a 23-year-old. “Every time he’s moved to a new series, he’s adapted quickly and won.”
“The fact that he came to the US and won as a rookie in Indy NXT definitely caught everyone’s attention. And then we watched him develop throughout his rookie season in IndyCar.”
“I’m really looking forward to it,” says Hauger. “Larry and I’ve had some very good discussions about the team and where we’re heading. I’ve learnt a lot in my first two years in America, but I feel there’s still so much more for me to learn and achieve in IndyCar.
“The team has a great history in this sport, but what fascinated me even more was what they’re building for the future right now. I want to work hard with everyone there and see how far we can take it.‘
’We’ve spent a lot of time discussing the direction this team should take,‘ says Foyt. ’We’re investing in our staff, our technical side and our commercial programme because we want to keep moving forward. Dennis is a big part of that plan.”
The fact that a Norwegian, of all people, is now driving the iconic #14 car is a twist of fate. But it also means that Santino Ferrucci will apparently have to look for a new seat – or will only be competing in the Indy 500 from now on. The American, who completely lost control during the 2018 Formula 2 race at Silverstone, had a disappointing 2026 season outside of the Indy 500.
It is considered unlikely that Ferrucci, who is a perfect fit for the #14 in terms of image, will switch teams internally. Rumour has it that Foyt is trying to set up a smaller programme with him.
The second car, bearing the #4, which was driven by Caio Collet in 2026, remains vacant. Collet is said to have earned a second season, but the Brazilian apparently lacks sponsors.
This leaves just four full-time seats available for the 2027 IndyCar season, assuming Christian Lundgaard stays with Ganassi: two seats at Juncos Hollinger (which may in future be known simply as Hollinger) and two at Dale Coyne Racing.
