19-year-old Nigerian-American Ugo Ugochukwu makes history as first US driver to win FIA Formula 3 championship

Nigerian-American racing driver Ugo Ugochukwu, 19, has made motorsport history by becoming the first Nigerian-American and first American driver to win the FIA Formula 3 Championship, securing the title with Campos Racing at the Madring circuit on Sunday, September 13, 2026.

Born in New York to Nigerian supermodel Oluchi Onweagba and Italian fashion designer Luca Orlandi, Ugochukwu clinched the title by defeating British driver Freddie Slater by 14 points after a dramatic season-long championship battle.

“I’m super proud of my Nigerian roots, on my mom’s side,” he said following his victory.

According to The Nation, the teenager, who tested a Formula 1 car for Alpine at Monza in June 2026, joins former F3 champions Oscar Piastri and Gabriel Bortoleto as drivers who progressed from the series to Formula 1.