By Hosea Parah
After becoming the 2026 FIA Formula 3 Drivers’ Champion, Nigerian-American driver, Ugo Ugochukwu, has declared that he is proud of his Nigerian roots, adding that he hopes his success in motorsport can inspire young Africans to pursue their dreams.
Ugochukwu, 19, clinched the title in the final race of the season at the new Madring circuit in Madrid on Sunday, finishing second to secure the championship ahead of Britain’s Freddie Slater.
The New York-born driver finished the season with 159 points, 14 ahead of Slater, who ended the race in eighth, while Finland’s Tuukka Taponen finished third in the championship after winning the Feature Race 2.
Speaking to SuperSport after securing the title, Ugochukwu, whose mother is Nigerian fashion model Oluchi Onweagba, said he was particularly proud to represent his Nigerian heritage.
“It’s amazing, and I’m super proud of my Nigerian roots on my mum’s side. Every time I can get to the podium and get my name out there for anyone watching and supporting in Africa, it means a lot (to me).
“Hopefully, I can be a role model to all the kids who like to have this dream as well,” he said.
The championship capped a remarkable season for Ugochukwu, who recorded seven podium finishes, including two victories, in his second FIA Formula 3 campaign.
He joined McLaren’s driver development programme and made his F3 debut with PREMA Racing in 2025, finishing 16th after claiming two podiums.
Before moving into single-seaters, Ugochukwu enjoyed a successful karting career, winning the CIK-FIA European Championship – OKJ, before making his British F4 debut in 2022 and finishing third overall.
He moved to Italian F4 in 2023, finishing second, while also winning the Euro 4 title and placing third in the UAE F4 Championship.
In 2024, he competed in the Formula Regional Middle East and European championships before winning the Macau Grand Prix at the end of the year.
Ugochukwu is the son of Onweagba and her Italian husband, Luca Orlandi. His mother won the M-Net Face of Africa contest in 1998.