Hauger joined the Red Bull junior scheme for his first year of car racing back in 2018, and went on to win the FIA Formula 3 title in 2021 with the energy drink giant’s support.
However, the Norwegian’s two seasons in F2 since then have fallen short of expectations, as he could only manage 10th overall last year driving for Prema and sits eighth this season ahead of this weekend’s finale in Abu Dhabi after moving to MP Motorsport.
Despite losing Red Bull’s support, Hauger will remain in F2 next season with MP.
Speaking to Autosport at last weekend’s Macau Grand Prix, Hauger revealed that he was informed by Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko as early as July’s Spa round that he would not be retained for 2024, but said he accepts the “brutal” nature of such decisions.
“I got the message to meet him [Marko] in Spa just before qualifying, and then we talked for 20 minutes,” said Hauger. “Obviously I hoped for a lot more this season as well.
“We could have been up there if things had gone our way at certain points, but in the end, we have to just put that behind us and do everything we can for next season because it will be my last in F2 and an important one to try and make that last step [to F1].”
Source: Autosport