Ugochukwu makes history as first American to win FIA F3 Championship
Nigerian-American racing driver Ugo Ugochukwu has etched his name into Formula 3 history after winning the 2026 FIA Formula 3 Drivers’ Championship in dramatic fashion at the season finale in Madrid on Sunday.
The 19-year-old secured the title after finishing second in the final race at the new Madring circuit, with his result enough to see off British rival Freddie Slater, who came home eighth.
Both drivers had entered the decisive race level on points, but Ugochukwu held his nerve when it mattered most to finish the season on top with 159 points, 14 clear of Slater’s 145.
Tuukka Taponen claimed victory in the season-ending Feature Race 2, becoming the first Finnish driver to win an FIA Formula 3 race. His triumph also lifted him into third place in the championship standings.
For Ugochukwu, however, the spotlight belonged to him as he became the first American driver to win the FIA Formula 3 title.
“To win the championship is testament to the consistency and the job we have done throughout the year,” Ugochukwu said".
Born and raised in New York City, Ugochukwu is the son of Nigerian fashion model Oluchi Onweagba and her Italian husband. His rise through the motorsport ranks has been backed by McLaren’s driver development programme.
He enjoyed a remarkable 2026 campaign, recording seven podium finishes, including two victories, to establish himself as one of the standout drivers on the grid.
His championship triumph also represents a significant turnaround from his debut F3 season in 2025. Driving for PREMA Racing, Ugochukwu finished 16th overall after securing two podiums.
His journey to the top began in karting, where he won several titles, including the CIK-FIA European Championship OKJ.
He made his move into single-seaters in 2022, debuting in British F4 and finishing third in the championship. A year later, he competed in Italian F4, finishing runner-up, while also winning the Euro 4 title and placing third in the UAE F4 Championship.
In 2024, he raced in both the Formula Regional Middle East and European Championships, finishing seventh and 11th respectively. He also placed 13th in the GB3 Championship before ending the year on a high by winning the prestigious Macau Grand Prix.
Now, after a season of consistency, speed and composure under pressure, Ugochukwu has reached another landmark in his young career, becoming the first American FIA Formula 3 champion and adding another major achievement to his Nigerian-American motorsport story.
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