23 October 2023 , 06:00
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Dennis Hauger announced he is the first of several expected departures from the Red Bull junior driver programme.
The Norwegian racer, 20, is coming towards the end of his second season in Formula 2. But he has been a member of the Red Bull programme for much longer, having been announced as one of a swathe of signings to the junior team back in September 2017.
This year, he has also been an official reserve driver to the F1 team, on standby at several race weekends in case a replacement was needed at short notice. But that six-year partnership is coming to an end.
Hauger announced the news himself in a social media post. "For the 2024 season, I'll be parting ways with the Red Bull Junior Team," he wrote. "I'm grateful for their support over the years and ready to explore new opportunities ahead. Next year I will be back in Formula 2 with one clear goal in mind – the championship."
He is one of several expected departures from the Red Bull programme in the coming weeks and months. Having supported six F2 drivers this year, the team is planning a refresh of its youth options going forward.
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No names have been officially announced yet, but Enzo Fittipaldi and Zane Maloney are also expected to depart the Red Bull stable. Both drive for Rodin Carlin in F2 and David Dicker, CEO of Rodin Cars, told Mirror Sport about the impending change.
"The support for most of the guys in these junior teams is next to zero, from the information that I have," he said. "They're not going to be supported by Red Bull next year, as far as I know. Let's face it, [Red Bull] already have more good drivers than seats, so what's the point of trying?"
Other departures are also possible, though no others are currently confirmed. Also speaking to Mirror Sport, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner avoided giving specific details of their long-term plans for the driver development programme and spoke instead about what those who are supported by Red Bull need to show.
"We're not lacking talent in the organisation and Helmut [Marko] has done a great job of identifying young talent, which is his primary role," he said. "You can't develop a Max Verstappen every year.
"Talent sometimes comes in waves and what Red Bull has been tremendously good at is giving drivers an opportunity who, otherwise, might not have had that chance. It's a tough programme, but then Formula 1 isn't a finishing school – you've got to arrive as the finished product and the drivers who succeed get an opportunity."