Nigerian-American racing driver Ugo Ugochukwu Orlandi has made history after becoming the first driver from the United States to win the FIA Formula 3 Championship.
The 19-year-old secured the championship on Sunday, September 13, following a dramatic season finale in Madrid, Spain, where he finished second in the Feature Race for Campos Racing.
Ugochukwu entered the final round facing a 15-point deficit to British driver Freddie Slater, an Audi junior driver who led the championship heading into the finale.
But the American-born driver produced a remarkable comeback when it mattered most.
He held on to second position through the final race, including a late Safety Car period, to secure enough points to overturn Slater’s advantage and claim the championship.
Ugochukwu finished the season with 159 points, 14 points ahead of Slater, who ended the campaign with 145 points.
The victory makes Ugochukwu the first FIA Formula 3 champion from the United States, marking a significant milestone in American motorsport.
After the race, Ugochukwu said the team knew it had to keep the final race clean and avoid mistakes.
“We knew we just had to keep it clean to clinch the title,” he said. “No mistakes, brought it home and super pleased.”
Born in New York, Ugochukwu has Nigerian heritage and has risen through the ranks of international single-seater racing. He competed for Campos Racing during the 2026 FIA Formula 3 season after previously being part of the McLaren junior programme.
His championship victory adds his name to the list of FIA Formula 3 champions who have progressed towards the highest level of single-seater motorsport.
For the United States, it is a historic first.
For Ugo Ugochukwu Orlandi, it is the biggest achievement yet in a racing career that could ultimately lead to Formula One.
