Ugo Ugochukwu Orlandi (born April 23, 2007) is an American racing driver. He most recently competed in the Formula Regional European Championship with Prema Racing. 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]
Ugo Ugochukwu | |
---|---|
Nationality | American |
Born | New York City, New York, United States of America | April 23, 2007
Formula Regional European Championship career | |
Debut season | 2024 |
Current team | Prema Racing |
Car number | 3 |
Starts | 20 (20 entries) |
Wins | 1 |
Podiums | 2 |
Poles | 1 |
Fastest laps | 0 |
Best finish | 11th in 2024 |
Previous series | |
2023 2023 2022–2023 2022 2022 | Euro 4 Championship Formula 4 UAE Championship Italian F4 ChampionshipF4 British Championship ADAC Formula 4 |
Championship titles | |
2023 2024 | Euro 4 Championship FIA FR World Cup |
He is a member of the McLaren Driver Development Programme.[3]
Career
editKarting
editUgochukwu 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.[4][5][6][7] 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.[4][8] In 2020 he took victory in the FIA OK-Junior European Karting Championship.[3][9]
Formula 4
edit2022
editIn 2021 Ugochukwu took part in an F4 testing program with Motopark, including tracks like Estoril and Oschersleben.[10][11] 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.[12] 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.[13] 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.[6][14]
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.[6][14][15]
2023
editHe remained with Prema for 2023 competing in the Formula 4 UAE Championship and Italian F4 Championship.[14] In the UAE championship he took five wins en route to third in the standings.[16] In the Italian championship he became vice-champion after fighting Kacper Sztuka for the title until the final round at Vallelunga Circuit.[17][18] In 2023 Ugochukwu also became the first champion of the new Euro 4 Championship.[19]
Formula Regional
editIn 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.[20][21] Ugochukwu also competed in the Formula Regional Middle East Championship with the Mumbai Falcons, placing 7th overall.[22]
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.[23]
FIA Formula 3
editUgochukwu took part in post-season testing of the 2023 FIA Formula 3 Championship with Rodin Carlin.[24] He will also compete in the non-championship Macau Grand Prix with Trident.[25][26]
2025
editIn October 2024, Ugochukwu was announced to be stepping up to FIA Formula 3, whilst continuing his relationship with Prema Racing.[27]
Formula One
editFollowing 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.[3][6][9]
Formula E
editIn 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.[28]
Personal life
editUgochukwu is the son of Nigerian model Oluchi Onweagba and Italian fashion designer Luca Orlandi.[7][29][30]
Karting record
editKarting career summary
editSeason | Series | Team | Position |
---|---|---|---|
2015 | SKUSA Pro Tour — TaG Cadet | 12th | |
SKUSA SuperNationals — TaG Cadet | Team Koene USA | 34th | |
Florida Winter Tour — Rotax Micro Max | 1st | ||
2016 | WSK Champions Cup — 60 Mini | Orlandi, Luca | NC |
WSK Super Master Series — 60 Mini | Energy Corse | 28th | |
WSK Night Edition — 60 Mini | 27th | ||
Italian Championship — 60 Mini | 6th | ||
ROK Cup Italy Area Nord — Mini ROK | 56th | ||
ROK Cup International Final — Mini ROK | Energy Corse | 12th | |
SKUSA SuperNationals — Mini Swift | 18th | ||
WSK Final Cup — 60 Mini | Energy Corse | 32nd | |
2017 | WSK Champions Cup — 60 Mini | ASD Giugliano Kart | 22nd |
WSK Super Master Series — 60 Mini | 7th | ||
IAME International Open — X30 Mini | 1st | ||
IAME Euro Series — X30 Mini | 10th | ||
Italian Championship — 60 Mini | 2nd | ||
IAME International Final — X30 Mini | 15th | ||
2018 | Florida Winter Tour — Junior ROK | 2nd | |
Challenge of the Americas — Junior ROK | 1st | ||
Italian Championship — ROK Junior | 2nd | ||
Italian Championship — X30 Junior | 10th | ||
2019 | WSK Champions Cup — OKJ | Ricky Flynn Motorsport | 9th |
WSK Super Master Series — OKJ | 17th | ||
Coupe de France — OKJ | 3rd | ||
WSK Euro Series — OKJ | Ricky Flynn Motorsport | 4th | |
Italian Championship — OKJ | 5th | ||
CIK-FIA European Championship — OKJ | Ricky Flynn Motorsport | 8th | |
CIK-FIA World Championship — OKJ | 30th | ||
WSK Open Cup — OKJ | 4th | ||
WSK Final Cup — OKJ | 4th | ||
2020 | WSK Champions Cup — OKJ | Ricky Flynn Motorsport | 25th |
South Garda Winter Cup — OKJ | 32nd | ||
WSK Super Master Series — OKJ | 5th | ||
CIK-FIA European Championship — OKJ | KR Motorsport | 1st | |
WSK Euro Series — OKJ | Sauber Karting Team | 9th | |
Champions of the Future — OKJ | 2nd | ||
CIK-FIA World Championship — OKJ | 8th | ||
WSK Open Cup — OKJ | 33rd | ||
2021 | WSK Champions Cup — OK | Sauber ORLEN Karting Team | 6th |
WSK Super Master Series — OK | 11th | ||
WSK Euro Series — OK | KR Motorsport | 2nd | |
CIK-FIA European Championship — OK | 7th | ||
WSK Open Cup — OK | 7th | ||
Champions of the Future — OK | 13th | ||
CIK-FIA World Championship — OK | 4th | ||
Sources:[31][32] |
Complete CIK-FIA Karting European Championship results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
Year | Team | Class | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | DC | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | Ricky Flynn Motorsport | OKJ | ANG QH 4 |
ANG R 5 |
GEN QH 45 |
GEN R DNQ |
KRI QH 35 |
KRI R DNQ |
LEM QH 7 |
LEM R 3 |
8th | 38 |
2020 | KR Motorsport | OKJ | ZUE QH 13 |
ZUE R 2 |
1st | 65 | ||||||
Sauber Karting Team | SAR QH 1 |
SAR R 1 |
WAC QH 1 |
WAC R (2) |
||||||||
2021 | KR Motorsport | OK | GEN QH 13 |
GEN R 10 |
AUB QH 7 |
AUB R 7 |
SAR QH 10 |
SAR R 8 |
ZUE QH 22 |
ZUE R 35 |
7th | 28 |
Racing record
editRacing career summary
editSeason | Series | Team | Races | Wins | Poles | F/Laps | Podiums | Points | Position |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022 | F4 British Championship | Carlin | 30 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 290 | 3rd |
ADAC Formula 4 Championship | Prema Racing | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | NC† | |
Italian F4 Championship | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 84 | 10th | ||
2023 | Formula 4 UAE Championship | Prema Racing | 15 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 185 | 3rd |
Italian F4 Championship | 21 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 13 | 280 | 2nd | ||
Euro 4 Championship | 9 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 193 | 1st | ||
Macau Grand Prix | Trident | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | 15th | |
2024 | Formula Regional Middle East Championship | Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 105 | 7th |
Formula Regional European Championship | Prema Racing | 20 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 76 | 11th | |
GB3 Championship | Rodin Motorsport | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 185 | 13th | |
Macau Grand Prix | R-ace GP | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | N/A | 1st | |
2025 | FIA Formula 3 Championship | Prema Racing | |||||||
Sources:[33] |
* Season still in progress. † Driver participated as a guest driver and was thus ineligible to score points.
Complete F4 British Championship results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | DC | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022 | Carlin | DON 1 3 |
DON 2 91 |
DON 3 5 |
BHI 1 4 |
BHI 2 43 |
BHI 3 1 |
THR1 1 2 |
THR1 2 63 |
THR1 3 2 |
OUL 1 Ret |
OUL 2 31 |
OUL 3 10 |
CRO 1 2 |
CRO 2 13† |
CRO 3 13† |
KNO 1 11 |
KNO 2 8 |
KNO 3 1 |
SNE 1 15 |
SNE 2 22 |
SNE 3 6 |
THR2 1 2 |
THR2 2 9 |
THR2 3 2 |
SIL 1 Ret |
SIL 2 23 |
SIL 3 6 |
BHGP 1 4 |
BHGP 2 5 |
BHGP 3 6 |
3rd | 290 |
Complete Italian F4 Championship results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | DC | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022 | Prema Racing | IMO 1 |
IMO 2 |
IMO 3 |
MIS 1 |
MIS 2 |
MIS 3 |
SPA 1 |
SPA 2 |
SPA 3 |
VLL 1 |
VLL 2 |
VLL 3 |
RBR 1 3 |
RBR 2 |
RBR 3 2 |
RBR 4 3 |
MNZ 1 |
MNZ 2 |
MNZ 3 |
MUG 1 6 |
MUG 2 5 |
MUG 3 2 |
10th | 84 |
2023 | Prema Racing | IMO 1 |
IMO 2 1 |
IMO 3 DNS |
IMO 4 3 |
MIS 1 6 |
MIS 2 3 |
MIS 3 2 |
SPA 1 4 |
SPA 2 7 |
SPA 3 1 |
MNZ 1 25† |
MNZ 2 2 |
MNZ 3 8 |
LEC 1 2 |
LEC 2 3 |
LEC 3 5 |
MUG 1 2 |
MUG 2 2 |
MUG 3 2 |
VLL 1 1 |
VLL 2 4 |
VLL 3 2 |
2nd | 280 |
Sources:[34][35] |
*Season still in progress. † 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.[36]
Complete F4 UAE Championship results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | Pos | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023 | Prema Racing | DUB1 1 1 |
DUB1 2 1 |
DUB1 3 3 |
KMT1 1 3 |
KMT1 2 1 |
KMT1 3 18 |
KMT2 1 1 |
KMT2 2 4 |
KMT2 3 35† |
DUB2 1 9 |
DUB2 2 Ret |
DUB2 3 10 |
YMC 1 11 |
YMC 2 3 |
YMC 3 1 |
3rd | 185 |
Complete Euro 4 Championship results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)
Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | DC | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023 | Prema Racing | MUG 1 1 |
MUG 2 1 |
MUG 3 2 |
MNZ 1 4 |
MNZ 2 7 |
MNZ 3 21 |
CAT 1 4 |
CAT 2 2 |
CAT 3 1 |
1st | 193 |
Complete Macau Grand Prix results
editYear | Team | Car | Qualifying | Quali Race | Main race |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023 | Trident Motorsport | Dallara F3 2019 | 9th | DNF | 15th |
2024 | R-ace GP | Tatuus F3 T318 | 1st | 1st | 1st |
Complete Formula Regional Middle East Championship results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
Year | Entrant | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | DC | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited | YMC1 1 16 |
YMC1 2 11 |
YMC1 3 3 |
YMC2 1 10 |
YMC2 2 Ret |
YMC2 3 7 |
DUB1 1 6 |
DUB1 2 4 |
DUB1 3 9 |
YMC3 1 6 |
YMC3 2 2 |
YMC3 3 Ret |
DUB2 1 3 |
DUB2 2 4 |
DUB2 3 6 |
7th | 105 |
Complete GB3 Championship results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | DC | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | Rodin Motorsport | OUL 1 3 |
OUL 2 4 |
OUL 3 37 |
SIL1 1 6 |
SIL1 2 2 |
SIL1 3 C |
SPA 1 4 |
SPA 2 4 |
SPA 3 Ret |
HUN 1 |
HUN 2 |
HUN 3 |
ZAN 1 |
ZAN 2 |
ZAN 3 |
SIL2 1 8 |
SIL2 2 6 |
SIL2 3 21 |
DON 1 |
DON 2 |
DON 3 |
BRH 1 |
BRH 2 |
BRH 3 |
13th | 185 |
* Season still in progress.
Complete Formula Regional European Championship results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | DC | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | Prema Racing | HOC 1 7 |
HOC 2 Ret |
SPA 1 15 |
SPA 2 21 |
ZAN 1 28 |
ZAN 2 10 |
HUN 1 8 |
HUN 2 3 |
MUG 1 10 |
MUG 2 13 |
LEC 1 DSQ |
LEC 2 DSQ |
IMO 1 15 |
IMO 2 5 |
RBR 1 8 |
RBR 2 20 |
CAT 1 Ret |
CAT 2 8 |
MNZ 1 1 |
MNZ 2 7 |
11th | 76 |
Complete FIA Formula 3 Championship results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
Year | Entrant | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | DC | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2025 | Prema Racing | BHR SPR |
BHR FEA |
MEL SPR |
MEL FEA |
IMO SPR |
IMO FEA |
MON SPR |
MON FEA |
CAT SPR |
CAT FEA |
RBR SPR |
RBR FEA |
SIL SPR |
SIL FEA |
SPA SPR |
SPA FEA |
HUN SPR |
HUN FEA |
MNZ SPR |
MNZ FEA |
TBD | TBD |
* Season still in progress.
References
edit- ^ "#3 Ugo Ugochukwu | Driver | Prema Racing". www.premaracing.com. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
- ^ "ROKiT F4 British Championship Certified by FIA 2022 | Championships | Driver Database". www.driverdb.com. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
- ^ a b c "McLaren Racing - McLaren Racing signs agreement with rising karting star Ugo Ugochukwu". www.mclaren.com. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
- ^ a b "Ugo Ugochukwu :: ADD Management". www.addmanagement.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
- ^ Waring, Bethonie (2022-08-22). "Podcast: Ugo Ugochukwu on British F4 and being a McLaren junior". Formula Scout. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
- ^ a b c d "Ugo Ugochukwu". www.mclaren.com. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
- ^ a b Series, Feeder (2022-08-03). "Who is McLaren junior and American F1 hopeful Ugo Ugochukwu?". Feeder Series. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
- ^ "About me - Ugo Ugochuckwu". 2023-01-04. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
- ^ a b "McLaren sign teenage karting revelation Ugo Ugochukwu to support American youngster's career | News | McLaren | F1 | Sky Sports". www.skysports.com. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
- ^ "McLaren's Ugo Ugochukwu to debut in British F4 with Carlin". Formula Scout. 2021-12-22. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
- ^ mdr.de. "Nachwuchs auf der Piste in Oschersleben | MDR.DE". www.mdr.de (in German). Retrieved 2022-05-01.
- ^ "Ugo Ugochukwu joins Carlin for 2022 F4 British Championship - automobilsport.com". www.automobilsport.com. Archived from the original on August 18, 2022. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Ugo Ugochukwu Donington Park British F4 pole position, 23 April 2022, retrieved 2022-05-01
- ^ a b c Waring, Bethonie (2022-12-07). "McLaren junior Ugochukwu makes full-time Italian F4 move with Prema". Formula Scout. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
- ^ Wood, Ida (2022-08-03). "McLaren junior Ugo Ugochukwu signed by Prema for ADAC F4 debut". Formula Scout. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
- ^ Wood, Ida (2023-02-19). "Wharton becomes F4 UAE champion after crash with title rival Taponen". Formula Scout. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
- ^ "Formula4 Italian Championship - Certified by FIA WSK Promotion Official Site- Ugo Ugochukwu wins Race 1 and keeps the title fight alive". www.f4championship.com. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
- ^ Allen, Peter (2023-10-15). "Champion Sztuka takes dominant ninth win in Italian F4 finale". Formula Scout. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
- ^ Allen, Peter (2023-10-22). "Ugochukwu claims Euro 4 title after winning Barcelona decider". Formula Scout. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
- ^ Allen, Peter (2023-11-03). "Ugo Ugochukwu to make Formula Regional move with Prema". Formula Scout. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
- ^ "Ugo Ugochukwu claims his first victory in the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine at Monza". Formula Regional European Championship. October 26, 2024. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
- ^ Wood, Ida (2024-01-08). "Prema reveals it and Mumbai Falcons' line-ups for FRME and F4 UAE". Formula Scout. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
- ^ Wood, Ida (November 17, 2024). "Ugochukwu takes FRegional World Cup by winning the Macau GP". Formula Scout. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
- ^ "Formula 3 action resumes at Barcelona post-season testing". FIAFormula3® - The Official F3® Website. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
- ^ MotorSport, Trident. "Trident Motorsport parteciperà al Gran Premio di Macao". Trident Motorsport (in Italian). Retrieved 2023-11-04.
- ^ Wood, Ida (2023-10-24). "Stanek, 2019 winner Verschoor and Ugochukwu join Trident for Macau". Formula Scout. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
- ^ "Ugo Ugochukwu signs with PREMA Racing for the 2025 season". FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website. 1 October 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
- ^ "Saucy and Ugochukwu set for Rookie Test outing with NEOM McLaren". Formula E. May 3, 2024. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
- ^ "Ugo Ugochukwu parents: Who be di parents behind di 13 year old McLaren signing | BBC News Pidgin". BBC News Pidgin (in Nigerian Pidgin). Retrieved 2023-08-09.
- ^ "13-Year-Old Ugo Ugochukwu Is America's Next Great F1 Hopeful". Autoweek. 2021-03-23. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
- ^ "Ugo Ugochukwu | Racing career profile | Driver Database". www.driverdb.com. Retrieved 2022-05-04.
- ^ kartcom (2016-02-05). "Ugochukwu Ugo". Retrieved 2022-05-04.
- ^ "Ugo Ugochukwu | Career Overview". www.driverdb.com. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
- ^ "Calendario e risultati 2022 | Italian F.4 Championship | ACI Sport". www.acisport.it (in Italian). Retrieved 2023-08-09.
- ^ "Calendario e risultati 2023 | Italian F.4 Championship | ACI Sport". www.acisport.it (in Italian). Retrieved 2023-08-09.
- ^ "Arvid Lindblad vince gara 1 a Monza | Notizie | Italian F.4 Championship | ACI Sport". www.acisport.it (in Italian). Retrieved 2023-08-09.
External links
edit- Ugo Ugochukwu career summary at DriverDB.com
- Official website