Ugo Ugochukwu Makes History as FIA Formula 3 Champion

A Nigerian-American teenager has just written his name into Formula 3 history.

At 19, Ugo Ugochukwu has been crowned the 2026 FIA Formula 3 Champion, becoming the first driver from the United States to win the championship.

Driving for Campos Racing, Ugo secured the title at the Spanish Grand Prix at Madrid's new Madring circuit on Sunday, September 13. He finished second in the final race — enough to put him 14 points ahead of Britain's Freddie Slater in the championship standings. 

From New York to the top of Formula 3

Ugo was born in New York to Nigerian fashion model Oluchi Onweagba and Italian fashion designer Luca Orlandi, giving the young racer a distinctly international background. 

His 2026 campaign produced 159 championship points, including two race victories and five additional podium finishes.

But the championship wasn't handed to him.

Slater entered the final weekend with a 15-point advantage. Ugochukwu turned that deficit around during the decisive weekend in Madrid, recovering the championship lead before safely finishing second in the final race. 

The next stop could be Formula 2

Formula 3 sits on the FIA's single-seater ladder between junior categories and Formula 2, making the championship an important stepping stone for drivers hoping to reach Formula 1.

Ugo's trajectory is already attracting attention. He was previously part of the McLaren junior programme, and after his F3 title, his next major target is expected to be Formula 2. 

His name now joins a list of F3 champions that includes drivers such as Oscar Piastri and Gabriel Bortoleto, who have since made it to Formula 1. 

And yes, he's very tall for a racing driver

There is another detail about Ugo that has been attracting attention.

At around 6ft 4in, he is unusually tall for a single-seater driver — a sport where cockpit dimensions and weight can make height a significant challenge.

Lewis Hamilton has already congratulated the young champion following his breakthrough season. 

For Nigerians, Ugo's victory is one of those stories worth looking beyond the trophy for.

His journey isn't the usual Nigerian sporting story. There is no football pitch, no athletics track and no familiar Super Eagles jersey.

Instead, there is a race car, a 19-year-old with Nigerian roots and one of the most competitive pathways in world motorsport.

Ugo Ugochukwu has now done something no American driver had done before: win the FIA Formula 3 Championship.

And if the Formula 1 ladder continues to open up for him, Nigerians may soon have another name to watch on a very different kind of sporting grid.

Could Ugo Ugochukwu become Nigeria's next big name in global motorsport?