Marzipan cake, rock music and Karsten Warholm: Getting to know the real Dennis Hauger

PREMA Racing’s Dennis Hauger has spent more than two years on the official Road to F1, so it’s high time we got to know the Norwegian racer a little better.

We caught up with the reigning Formula 3 champion, who discussed his idols, named the song he always listens to before getting into the car, and explained why his favourite quote is: “I never lose, I either win or I learn.”

WHERE DO YOU CONSIDER HOME?

"I grew up in Norway in Aurskog, which is on the east side between Oslo and Sweden. It's a quiet peaceful village, without too many people.

"There was space to race quads and motocross - it was quite nice to grow up there. I got my first quad when I was two, motocross at four and go-kart at five. I could have never done those things if I had grown up in a city.

OUTSIDE OF MOTORSPORT, WHICH SPORTSPERSON DO YOU ADMIRE?

“A Norwegian called Karsten Warholm. He competes in the hurdles and he has the world record right now. I like his attitude, and he is a nice guy as well. My dad is another, although that is sort of motorsport related, he has always been there for me and he taught me a lot.”

HOW DO YOU RELAX AWAY FROM THE TRACK?

“Being at home in Norway. It is quiet and peaceful, so it is a good place to disconnect, which is important between race weekends.”

WHAT IS ON YOUR BUCKET LIST?

“Being a Formula 1 driver - that is it.”

WHO DO YOU GET ON BEST WITH ON THE F2 GRID?

“From last season, Arthur Leclerc, I enjoyed spending time with him at PREMA. I am enjoying working with Jehan (Daruvala) so far as well and I think we can keep building that up during the season.”

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE CHEAT MEAL?

“I don't eat a lot of junk food, honestly. I do enjoy burgers, tacos and baked potatoes with beef, but I don't think about it a lot.”

WHAT PERIOD IN TIME WOULD YOU WANT TO GO BACK AND WITNESS?

“From a career point of view, I would go back and look at my Formula 3 season and what we achieved. Outside of that, it would be cool to go back and see the parts of my childhood that I was too young to remember.”

IF YOU WEREN’T A DRIVER, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

“My whole life has been racing. Maybe if I had focused on something else instead, I could have been good at something else, but it has always been racing - that's always been my main focus and nothing else comes to mind.”

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MOVIE OR TV SERIES?

“I am watching the Big Bang Theory right now, it's just easy to watch and disconnect. I don’t really watch many movies.”

WHAT WAS THE LAST SONG YOU LISTENED TO?

“It isn’t the last song that I listened to, but one song I always listen to before a race is Hell Yeah by Rev Theory, which is a rock song. That is always the song that I put on last before I get into the car. It is more of a routine than superstition. It is always rock before a race and that is the song that goes on last every time."

YOUR DREAM BIRTHDAY CAKE?

“A marzipan double-layered cake with bananas and strawberries.”

YOUR FAVOURITE RACING MEMORY?

“There are a few over my career so far, including moments from karting, like winning both the junior and senior categories. However, out of everything, I would say that the F3 title is my biggest achievement so far.”

WHAT IS YOUR MOST TREASURED POSSESSION?

“My first trophy from my first race win. I was only eight years old, and I have kept it ever since. It was at my home track, which makes it more special.”

DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE QUOTE?

“I never lose, I either win or I learn.’

“That quote is on my helmet. It is about learning from your mistakes and never doubting yourself. Always keep pushing forward.”

WHERE WOULD YOU VISIT IF YOU COULD TRAVEL ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD?

“I have always wanted to go to the Maldives for a holiday, but honestly, as long as I am on a racetrack, I am having a good time.”