For the first time in four years, PREMA Racing will field a brand new team in Formula 2, with the Italian team announcing the promotion of Formula 3 champion Dennis Hauger and the capture of 2021 race winner Jehan Daruvala.
PREMA led the 18-year-old Hauger to the F3 title last season, with the Red Bull-backed driver securing nine podiums, including four wins, and three pole positions en route to the crown.
Finishing 17th with the Hitech Grand Prix in 2020, Hauger initially struggled to advance to F3 but finished his second season with 205 points, 26 ahead of runner-up Jack Doohan.
“I am delighted to continue with PREMA in 2022,” said Hauger, who was Italian F4 champion in 2019. “We had a good year in 2021 with incredible teamwork, and I really appreciated.
“I’m extremely happy that they continue to believe in me, and I look forward to continuing the hard work we’ve put together this season as well.”
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Fellow Red Bull junior Daruvala will return to PREMA after two seasons in F2 with Carlin, having competed for the Italians in the 2019 F3 championship. A title challenger, Daruvala finished this season third with two wins and five more podiums.
Moving to F2 with Carlin, Daruvala scored two podiums, including a win, in his debut year when he finished 12th. Two more wins followed in his second season, along with three more podiums, with him finishing 2021 seventh in the standings.
“I am really happy to be back at PREMA and to continue being part of the Red Bull Junior team for the 2022 FIA F2 Championship,” said Daruvala. “We have worked together in the past and share a fantastic relationship.
“PREMA are a champion team and I can’t wait to get started and look forward to a successful F2 campaign.”
READ MORE: ‘It was always a two-year plan’ – Piastri exceeded all expectations, says Rosin
On the occasion of Hauger’s graduation, team principal René Rosin said: “We are delighted to continue the work we started with Dennis (Hauger) last year in F3, which has leads to so many great results. Of course, being a rookie isn’t always easy.
“However, in the official playoff test, Dennis has made steady and impressive progress, and we look forward to a positive season together. We are also proud to be working with the Red Bull Junior team again, and hopefully that together we can add more chapters to our successful story.”
On Daruvala’s return, Rosin added: “We had a great relationship with Jehan (Daruvala) when we raced together in FIA F3 and we have deep respect for his skills and work ethic. he fits in very well with our team and I can’t wait to see the progress he has made over the past two years.
“He has put in impressive performances in post-season testing and he also has great experience in terms of racing formats and procedures. With the Red Bull Junior program we will provide him with all the support he needs to pursue their goals.”
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