Ugo Ugochukwu is an American driver, born on April 23rd, 2007 in New York, USA.

He recently won the FIA Formula 3 Championship for Campos.

The 19-year-old Campos Racing driver secured the title at the Madring circuit on Sunday, September 13, 2026, becoming the first Nigerian-American driver to win the FIA Formula 3 championship.

Ugochukwu entered the final race tied on points with British driver Freddie Slater after a dramatic championship battle throughout the season.

His victory at Madring also gives the United States its first FIA Formula 3 champion, adding another milestone to the teenager’s rapidly developing motorsport career.

He now joins a list of former Formula 3 champions who have progressed to Formula 1, including Oscar Piastri and Gabriel Bortoleto.

His championship also represents another significant step in a career that could eventually take him to the highest level of motorsport.

Formula 3 is regarded as an important pathway to Formula 2 and, ultimately, Formula 1.

Following the landmark achievement, Ugochukwu reflected on his Nigerian heritage, which comes through his mother, Oluchi Onweagba.

“I’m super proud of my Nigerian roots, on my mom’s side,” he said, while speaking about the significance of his Nigerian connection.

The young driver also expressed pride in having his name recognised by supporters in Africa as his motorsport career continues to gain international attention.

Born and raised in New York City, Ugochukwu is the son of Nigerian fashion model Oluchi Onweagba and her Italian husband, Luca Orlandi. Orlandi is an Italian fashion designer.

Ugochukwu got signed to the McLaren Driver Development Programme at age 13.

Noted for his tall height since his single-seater debut in 2022, Ugochukwu finished third in British F4 for Carlin and second in Italian F4 for Prema.

Ugochukwu graduated to Formula Regional in 2024, and became the first American victor of the Macau Grand Prix in 43 years.

He moved up to FIA Formula 3 with Prema in 2025 and was dropped by McLaren after a winless season; he won the title the following year.

Ugochukwu also began his karting career in USA, winning the Micro ROK Cup USA in 2014 and the Florida Winter Tour in 2015 before moving to Italy to compete in European championships.

He went on to win the X30 Mini category of the IAME International Open in 2017 and the Junior ROK category of the Challenge of the Americas in 2018.

In 2020 he took victory in the FIA OK-Junior European Karting Championship.

Ugochukwu remained with Prema for 2023 competing in the Formula 4 UAE Championship and Italian F4 Championship.

In the UAE championship, he took five wins en route to third in the standings.

In the Italian championship he became vice-champion after fighting Kacper Sztuka for the title until the final round at Vallelunga Circuit.

In 2023 Ugochukwu also became the first champion of the new Euro 4 Championship.

Ugochukwu moved to reigning champions’ Campos Racing for the 2026 season, alongside Théophile Naël and Ernesto Rivera.

Ugochukwu completed the F3 Feature Race at the Madring, P2 to win the F3 drivers championship, defeating Trident Motorsport driver Freddie Slater by 14 points.

Following his victory in the FIA OK-Junior European Karting Championship with the Sauber Karting Team in 2020, Ugochukwu signed a long-term deal with the McLaren Driver Development Programme in 2021 to facilitate his transition from junior motorsport to professional racing driver.

Ugochukwu departed McLaren in November 2025 amidst a major shakeup in the roster.

In June 2026, he tested a Formula One car for the first time, driving the Alpine A524 during a private test session in Monza. (The Nation)