Photo: F4 UAE
McLaren junior Ugo Ugochukwu will drive for the team in Formula E’s rookie test in Berlin on May 13.
The 17-year-old American is a long-time protege of the British outfit, having first received its support in 2021 while he was still in karting. In 2022 he stepped up to single-seater racing in Formula 4, coming third and 10th respectively in the British and Italian championships.
Last year he remained in the category, coming third in F4 United Arab Emirates with five wins then tackling the ACI-organised Italian F4 and Euro 4. He won three races in both, enough to be champion in the latter but only runner-up in the former.
Ugochukwu made a step up the ladder for 2024, racing full-time in Formula Regional and part-time in GB3. He was seventh in FRegional Middle East, is currently second in GB3 and his FRegional European Championship campaign is yet to begin.
“I’m looking forward to the Berlin rookie test,” said Ugochukwu. “It’s an amazing opportunity to take the Nissan e-4ORCE 04 to track and I’m grateful to be given this chance through the McLaren Driver Development programme.
“I’m excited to learn and develop my driving further with a new category of car. I’ll be working closely with the great team at Bicester and McLaren Technology Centre in the build-up, getting prepared for the test and making sure I’m as prepared as possible to help the team.”
Driving McLaren’s other car in the test will be 2021 FREC Gregoire Saucy, who has switched to sportscar racing this year after two FIA Formula 3 seasons which produced just three podiums. In the World Endurance Championship he races a McLaren 720S GT3 Evo for United Autosports.