Photo: Dutch Photo Agency
McLaren Formula 1 junior Ugo Ugochukwu will step up to FIA Formula 3 next year with Prema.
The 17-year-old American was signed by McLaren while still in karting, and he began his single-seater career in 2022 by racing in three Formula 4 championships.
His main programme was in Britain, where he came third in the standings with two wins and three poles. He claimed four podiums from six starts in the Italian championship to be 10th in the points table there, and got two podiums in ADAC F4.
His European outings were with Prema, and last year he did even more racing with the team. Ugochukwu started off with F4 United Arab Emirates, taking five victories to come third in the standings. He had led the championship early on after winning the first two races.
In Italian F4 he was championship runner-up, claiming a further three wins, and he took the title in the three-round Euro 4 series with three race victories. At the end of the year he made his F3 debut with Trident, finishing 15th in the Macau Grand Prix.
Rather than step up full-time to the category for 2024, Ugochukwu’s budget went towards another expansive programme with Prema. He kicked things off in Formula Regional Middle East, where he made the podium three times, and in Europe he has so far made the podium once and is 14th in the standings.
Three GB3 outings with Rodin Motorsport on the side led to three podiums and 13th in the points table.
“I’m really happy to announce that I will be racing with Prema in the 2025 FIA F3 Championship,” said Ugochukwu, who has not met his or outside expectations in FRegional and has had some suspected engine issues in FREC.
“Working with all the people here is special, the chemistry is excellent and it makes the work really enjoyable on and off the track. We have had two positive seasons together [in F4] and I’m looking forward to building on that and I’m sure we will have a good year.”
Prema’s team principal Rene Rosin commented: “We think he has great potential. We are convinced that he will be a great fit for FIA F3 next year in terms of approach and driving style.”