Dennis Hauger (19) did not get a perfect start in Formula 2, and a possible penalty can await the Norwegian in his debut.
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On Friday, Hauger drove Formula 2 for the first time, but the qualification in Bahrain was not as dreamed of for Aurskog’s big motor son.
The 19-year-old got into trouble after just a few minutes, when he was about to enter the depot. Just behind was the Estonian Jüri Vips, who was pushed far to the side as Hauger crossed the field to the right.
– I did not really see him much. I had the plan to go into the pit, while he pushed on. I just drove the line I had, and did not think much about it, says Hauger to Viaplay.
Vips was clearly frustrated, and after a few minutes a message came from the jury that they will investigate Hauger’s maneuver after the qualification.
– In the worst case, it could be a punishment for Hauger, says Viaplay commentator Atle Gulbrandsen as the message came up on the screen.
The actual times that Hauger put in the qualification were not that big either. After a weak time in his first real attempt, it looked better for Hauger in his second. Then he came a long way in the last turn, and ended up in 15th place.
It was 0.967 seconds behind qualifier Jack Doohan, who finished in second place behind Hauger in the Formula 3 championship last season.
– It was a difficult qualification overall. I did not feel completely comfortable with the car, but I think at least I would have been in the top twelve if I had not made the mistake in the last turn. It was a little extra awkward to make that mistake, says Hauger.
– It is the first qualification of 14, so I just have to bite my teeth together and work my way up in the races.
Theo Pourchaire took second place, while Vips finished in third place.
The qualification lays the foundation for this weekend’s race in Bahrain. On Sunday, the main race and the starting order will be run, following the result list in Friday’s qualification.
But already on Saturday, a shorter sprint race will be run, and the starting order for those who finished in the top ten in the qualification will be reversed. That is, number ten in the qualification starts as number one in the sprint race, and vice versa.
Friday’s 15th place thus gave no advantage to Hauger in the sprint race, as he finished outside the top ten. In other words, the Norwegian will start from the 15th best starting position in both Saturday’s sprint race and Sunday’s main race.
– It will be more difficult, but I have to take it as a learning weekend, says Hauger.
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