Nigerian-American racing driver Ugo Ugochukwu, 19, has been crowned the 2026 FIA Formula 3 Drivers’ Champion, becoming the first American driver to win the prestigious championship.
Ugochukwu secured the title at the season-ending race at the newly built Madring circuit in Madrid, Spain, on Sunday, September 13. Driving for Campos Racing, he finished second behind Finland’s Tuukka Taponen, while his main championship rival, Britain’s Freddie Slater, finished eighth.
The result gave Ugochukwu 159 points, 14 points ahead of Slater, who finished the season on 145 points. His consistent performances throughout the campaign ultimately delivered the championship.
Born in New York, Ugochukwu is of Nigerian and Italian heritage and is the son of Nigerian fashion model Oluchi Onweagba. He races under the United States flag but has continued to celebrate his Nigerian heritage.
The young driver has already built an impressive career in junior motorsport. He previously competed in the McLaren Driver Development Programme and has progressed through several junior single-seater categories before joining Campos Racing for the 2026 FIA Formula 3 season.
His championship is regarded as an important step toward his ambition of reaching Formula 1, with Formula 3 serving as one of the key stages on the pathway to the world’s premier single-seater racing series.
Ugochukwu’s historic achievement has drawn widespread attention, with his victory being celebrated as a major milestone for both American motorsport and his Nigerian heritage.
