Nigerian-American racing driver Ugo Ugochukwu has made history by becoming the first American to win the FIA Formula 3 Championship.
The 19-year-old secured the title after finishing second in the final race of the 2026 season at the Madring circuit in Madrid, Spain, on Sunday. He finished the championship with 159 points, 14 points ahead of British driver Freddie Slater, who ended the season on 145 points.
Driving for Campos Racing, Ugochukwu entered the final round level on points with Slater after trailing the British driver earlier in the season. He kept out of trouble during the decisive race to finish runner-up and secure the championship.
Finland’s Tuukka Taponen won the final race, holding off Ugochukwu after starting from pole position, while Pedro Clerot completed the podium in third place.
Born in New York, Ugochukwu is the son of Nigerian model Oluchi Onweagba and Italian fashion designer Luca Orlandi. He previously competed as a McLaren junior driver before joining Campos Racing for the 2026 Formula 3 season.
The historic championship adds to Ugochukwu’s growing record in motorsport. Earlier in 2026, he won the Formula Regional Oceania Championship before stepping up to Formula 3.
His latest achievement places him among the recent Formula 3 champions who have progressed towards Formula One, including current F1 drivers Oscar Piastri and Gabriel Bortoleto.
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