By Teddy Nwanunobi
Nigerian-American Ugo Ugochukwu, the 19-year-old son of Nigerian model, Oluchi Onweagba, has won the 2026 FIA Formula 3 (F3) Championship on the last race of the season.
Heading into the final race of the season at the Madring in Spain on Sunday, the Campos Racing driver and his rival Freddie Slater were on the same 141 points, with Ugochukwu needed to only finish ahead to clinch the title.
Ugochukwu, who lined up second for the race, managed to maintain the position until the end of the session to secure the title with 159 points, ahead of rookie Slater who managed 145 points after finishing eight in the race.
During the course of the F3 championship, which started in March this year, the former McLaren Academy driver earned two victories and seven podiums across both feature and sprint races.
Though born to a Nigerian mother and Italian fashion designer father, Luca Orlandi, Ugochukwu races under the United States flag, which is the country of his birth.
Speaking after the race, Ugochukwu, who is famous for his height as he currently stands at 1.92 metres tall, said he was excited about winning the championship and Campos Racing clinching the Team’s Championship.
“I am super happy. Overall, I think I have improved and evolved as a driver. That is also my goal for the following years, to keep performing better and better. This title is a testament to that. So, I am really happy with the work we have put in with the team.
“I am super happy for them as well, clinching the Teams’ Championship yesterday, and today we got the job done to seal both. It has been pretty much a perfect season for us,” he stated.
