Who is Ugo Ugochukwu: FIA Formula 3 Winner in Melbourne
Ugo Ugochukwu Orlandi (born April 23, 2007) is a North American racing driver who represents Campos in the FIA Formula 3 Championship.
He is the son of Nigerian fashion model Oluchi Onweagba and her Italian husband. He previously placed third in the F4 British Championship with Carlin and second in the 2023 Italian F4 Championship with Prema.
He also participated in the Formula Regional European Championship. In 2024, Ugochukwu became the first American winner of the Macau Grand Prix in 43 years.
Ugochukwu was a member of the McLaren Driver Development Programme from 2021 to 2025.
Ugo Ugochukwu, a young American driver, won a huge victory in the FIA Formula 3 Championship by winning the Feature Race at the Australian Grand Prix weekend in Melbourne.
Driving for Campos Racing, the 17-year-old put on an outstanding performance to capture the checkered flag and score one of the most significant victories of his short career.
The Melbourne Feature Race is the primary event of the Formula 3 weekend and frequently influences championship standings.
Ugochukwu’s victory was a solid start to the season and showcased his emerging status as one of the sport’s most promising young drivers.
Who is Ugo Ugochukwu?
Ugo Ugochukwu Orlandi was born in New York City on April 23, 2007. His father, Luca Orlandi, is an Italian fashion designer, while his mother, Oluchi Onweagba, is a Nigerian fashion model. Ugochukwu stands out among his competition in terms of height.
Career
Ugochukwu began his karting career in the United States, winning the Micro ROK Cup USA in 2014 and the Florida Winter Tour in 2015. He then moved to Italy to compete in European competitions. He went on to win the IAME International Open’s X30 Mini category in 2017, as well as the Challenge of the Americas’ Junior ROK division in 2018.
In 2020, he won the FIA OK-Junior European Karting Championship. In 2021, Ugochukwu participated in an F4 testing program with Motopark, which included courses such as Estoril and Oschersleben.
In 2022, he moved up the junior formula ladder, driving for Carlin in British F4, with Williams junior Oliver Grey and New Zealander Louis Sharp. On the day of his first weekend, Ugochukwu turned fifteen, making him eligible to race in Formula 4. He took his first pole position.
He was unable to turn it into a victory, finishing third and recording the fastest lap in race 1 at Donington Park. In the remainder of the season, Ugochukwu won two races at Brands Hatch and Knockhill to finish third in the championship behind Alex Dunne and Oliver Grey, and also became Rookie Cup champion.
Ugochukwu stayed with Prema Racing in 2024, competing in the Formula Regional European Championship, finishing eleventh and winning the season finale at Monza. Ugochukwu also competed in the Formula Regional Middle East Championship for the Mumbai Falcons, finishing ninth overall.
Along with his main season in the Formula Regional European Championship, Ugochukwu raced in four rounds of the 2024 GB3 Championship for Rodin Motorsport. He finished 13th overall, with three podiums in eleven races.
Later that year, Ugochukwu joined R-ace GP to compete in the Macau Grand Prix. He qualified on pole position and won the race, making him the first American winner since Bob Earl in 1981. In preparation for his Formula 3 season, Ugochukwu competed in the Formula Regional Middle East Championship with R-ace GP.
He won his first FR Middle East race at the Dubai Autodrome, after starting third. With an additional five podiums, he finished third overall. Ugochukwu joined Campos Racing, the reigning champions, for the 2026 season alongside Théophile Naël and Ernesto Rivera.
After winning the FIA OK-Junior European Karting Championship with the Sauber Karting Team in 2020, Ugochukwu signed a long-term contract with the McLaren Driver Development Programme in 2021 to help him move from junior motorsport to professional racing. Ugochukwu left McLaren in November 2025, amid a big shakeup in the lineup.