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By Seyi Babalola
Former McLaren development driver Ugo Ugochukwu has won the Formula Regional Oceania Trophy, three months after leaving the Formula One team.
The 18-year-old won the title with four wins in 15 races, finishing 15 points ahead of Audi F1 youngster Freddie Slater.
Ugochukwu stood on the podium at every round and finished outside the top 10 only twice in a season defined by consistency.
“Amazing feeling honestly to cross the line,” Ugochukwu said after the New Zealand Grand Prix. “The race felt way longer than usual, just happy to get it done, to get it over with, and get the championship.”
Reflecting on the campaign, he added: “It’s been a really good campaign, really good season. I can’t thank the whole team enough. They did a mega job all year and I’m happier for them than even for me.”
His title push was nearly derailed at the season finale when a left-front suspension failure during qualifying led to a technical breach, dropping him to 13th on the grid. Despite the setback, he secured the points needed to seal the championship.
“It hasn’t been easy,” Ugochukwu said. “I had to put it behind me and look at the bigger picture and get the championship, and that’s what we did.”
Ugochukwu will now step up to his second FIA Formula 3 season with Campos Racing, with the campaign starting on March 6–8 at the Australian Grand Prix.
