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Ugo Ugochukwu
American racing driver (born 2007) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Ugo Ugochukwu Orlandi (Igbo pronunciation: [ù.ɡó ù.ɡò.t͡ʃú.kwú]; born April 23, 2007) is an American racing driver who competes in the FIA Formula 3 Championship for Prema as part of the McLaren Driver Development Programme.
Born and raised in New York City, Ugochukwu is the son of Nigerian fashion model Oluchi Onweagba and her Italian husband. He previously finished third in the F4 British Championship racing for Carlin and was runner-up in the 2023 Italian F4 Championship for Prema.[1][2] He also competed in the Formula Regional European Championship. In 2024, Ugochukwu became the first American victor of the Macau Grand Prix in 43 years.
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Early and personal life
Ugo Ugochukwu Orlandi was born in New York City on April 23, 2007. His father, Luca Orlandi, is an Italian fashion designer and his mother, Oluchi Onweagba, is a Nigerian fashion model.[3][4]
Career
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Karting
Ugochukwu began his karting career in America, winning the Micro ROK Cup USA in 2014 and the Florida Winter Tour in 2015 before moving to Italy to compete in European championships.[5][6][7][8] He went on to win the X30 Mini category of the IAME International Open in 2017 and the Junior ROK category of the Challenge of the Americas in 2018.[5][9] In 2020 he took victory in the FIA OK-Junior European Karting Championship.[10][11]
Formula 4
2022
In 2021, Ugochukwu took part in an F4 testing program with Motopark, including tracks like Estoril and Oschersleben.[12][13] In 2022 he progressed onto the junior formula ladder, driving for Carlin in British F4 alongside Williams junior Oliver Gray and New Zealander Louis Sharp.[14] On the day of his first weekend, when Ugochukwu turned 15 which allowed him to be eligible to race in Formula 4, the American took his first pole position.[15] He would be unable to convert it into a victory, taking third place along with the fastest lap in race 1 at Donington Park. In the remainder of the season Ugochukwu took two race wins at Brands Hatch and Knockhill to finish third in the championship behind Alex Dunne and Oliver Gray and also became Rookie Cup champion.[7][16]
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In August, Ugochukwu joined Prema Racing to race in some of the remaining rounds of the Italian F4 Championship and ADAC Formula 4 Championship, where he achieved multiple podium finishes.[7][16][17]
2023
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He remained with Prema for 2023 competing in the Formula 4 UAE Championship and Italian F4 Championship.[16] In the UAE championship he took five wins en route to third in the standings.[18] In the Italian championship he became vice-champion after fighting Kacper Sztuka for the title until the final round at Vallelunga Circuit.[19][20] In 2023 Ugochukwu also became the first champion of the new Euro 4 Championship.[21]
Formula Regional
2024
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In 2024 Ugochukwu remained with Prema Racing to compete in the Formula Regional European Championship where he finished eleventh, taking a race win at the season finale at Monza.[22][23] Ugochukwu also competed in the Formula Regional Middle East Championship with the Mumbai Falcons, placing 7th overall.[24]
Alongside his main campaign in Formula Regional European Championship, Ugochukwu competed in four rounds of the 2024 GB3 Championship with Rodin Motorsport.[25] He scored three podiums over eleven races, finishing 13th in the overall standings.[26]
Later that year, Ugochukwu joined R-ace GP to contest the Macau Grand Prix. He qualified on pole position and won the race, becoming the first American winner of the event since Bob Earl in 1981.[27][3]
2025
In preparation for his Formula 3 season, Ugochukwu competed in the Formula Regional Middle East Championship with R-ace GP.[28] He took his maiden FR Middle East victory in the first race at the Dubai Autodrome, having started from third position.[29] With an additional five podiums, he finished third in the overall standings.[30]
FIA Formula 3
Ugochukwu took part in post-season testing of the 2023 FIA Formula 3 Championship with Rodin Carlin.[31] He also competed in the non-championship Macau Grand Prix with Trident.[32][33] A collision in the qualifying race meant he started the main race from the back row.[34] He managed to improve to 15th position overall.[35]
2025
In October 2024, Ugochukwu was announced to be stepping up to FIA Formula 3, whilst continuing his relationship with Prema Racing.[36]
Formula One
Following his victory in the FIA OK-Junior European Karting Championship with the Sauber Karting Team in 2020, Ugochukwu signed a long-term deal with the McLaren Driver Development Programme in 2021 to facilitate his transition from junior motorsport to professional racing driver.[10][7][11]
Formula E
In May 2024, McLaren Formula E Team announced that Ugochukwu and Grégoire Saucy will drive for the team at the official rookie test at the Berlin ePrix.[37]
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Karting record
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Karting career summary
Complete CIK-FIA Karting European Championship results
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
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Racing record
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Racing career summary
† Driver participated as a guest driver and was thus ineligible to score points.
* Season still in progress.
Complete F4 British Championship results
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
Complete Italian F4 Championship results
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
† Ugochukwu finished 1st on track, but received three post-race penalties - one ten-second penalty for dangerous driving, and two five-second penalties for overtaking off-track.[43]
Complete Formula 4 UAE Championship results
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
Complete Euro 4 Championship results
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)
Complete Macau Grand Prix results
Complete Formula Regional Middle East Championship results
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
Complete GB3 Championship results
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
Complete Formula Regional European Championship results
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
Complete FIA Formula 3 Championship results
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
* Season still in progress.
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References
External links
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