MADRID — Ugo Ugochukwu is the 2026 FIA Formula 3 Champion.
The 19-year-old Nigerian-American driver made history on Sunday, September 13, 2026 at the Madring circuit in Madrid, becoming the first driver from the United States to win the FIA Formula 3 title.
Driving for Campos Racing, Ugochukwu needed only a clean finish to clinch it, and he delivered under immense pressure. He finished second in the final Feature Race 2 of the season behind Tuukka Taponen, a result that was enough to overturn a 15-point deficit to his main rival.
His rival, 18-year-old Briton and Audi junior Freddie Slater, had gone into the weekend leading the championship but finished eighth in the finale, ending the season on 145 points to Ugochukwu's 159.
Redemption to Champion
The victory is redemption for the tall, New York-born star. After a difficult maiden F3 season in 2025 where he finished 16th overall, Ugochukwu left the McLaren junior programme at the end of last year.
He bounced back in spectacular fashion in 2026. He became the first repeat winner of the season and delivered one of the most dominant drives of the year at Silverstone, winning the Sprint Race by an astonishing 17 seconds from pole.
That form also delivered Campos Racing the 2026 Teams' Championship.
"We knew we just had to keep it clean to clinch the title, and that's what we did. No mistakes, brought it home and super pleased," Ugochukwu said after the race.
Following The Greats
Formula 3 is one rung below Formula Two on the ladder to Formula One, and Ugochukwu now joins an elite list of former champions.
He follows in the footsteps of past F3 champions Oscar Piastri and Gabriel Bortoleto, who now race in Formula One with McLaren and Audi respectively.
As champion, Ugochukwu will graduate to FIA Formula 2 in 2027. The top five drivers in this year's championship will receive prize money ahead of the next step in their careers.
For Nigeria and the US, it's a landmark moment — the first American, and the first driver of Nigerian descent, to conquer Formula 3.
2026 FIA Formula 3 Final Drivers' Standings:
1. Ugo Ugochukwu (USA/Campos Racing) - 159 pts
2. Freddie Slater (GBR) - 145 pts
3. Tuukka Taponen (FIN) - Race Winner, Madrid