Ugo Ugochukwu left the Madring with the fastest time of the two-day 2026 FIA Formula 3 (F3) test, giving the Campos Racing driver plenty of confidence heading into the championship finale at the new Madrid venue.
Ugochukwu set an unofficial F3 lap record of 1:49.034, topping both morning sessions across the test and finishing ahead of championship rival Freddie Slater on the overall timesheets.
With just two rounds remaining in the 2026 season and an eight-point gap separating the pair, the Madrid test provided an important opportunity for both drivers to get to grips with a circuit that will host the season finale.
Speaking in the paddock after the conclusion of testing on Day 2, Ugochukwu was pleased with how quickly Campos Racing found its rhythm around the challenging new circuit.
“It’s definitely been a good test,” he said, “it’s good to get back into the car after a little time away over the summer break and immediately I felt quite at one with the track.
“It’s a very challenging circuit. We’ve had multiple red flags, so it’ll definitely be a factor when we come here for the race weekend.
“But I definitely feeling good around here which is a positive note and hopefully we can bring this good pace into the race weekend for the last rounds.”
Ugochukwu builds confidence around the Madring
The Madring presented the F3 field with a very different challenge, with the high-speed layout and limited run-off leaving little room for error.
Several drivers were caught out during the two days, while the number of red flags limited some running. For Ugochukwu, however, the challenge of the circuit was part of what made the test so valuable.
The Campos driver felt his confidence grew with every lap, particularly as the team moved through its tyre programme and he began to push closer to the limits of the circuit.
“There’s definitely not a lot of room. I think as we put more new tyres on the car we kind of pushed more and more and I think every lap was closer and closer to the wall. I felt that lap was nicely on the limit which is what you need around this place.
“You’re right on the limit, but without going over, which isn’t easy. I’ll be trying to replicate that in quali on the race weekend.
“As with every street circuit there’s no room for mistakes but around here there’s definitely some corners which are very high speed and a bit blind, and so it’s not so easy.”
The Madring’s character also offered a different challenge to a more traditional street circuit such as Monaco, with its faster sections potentially playing a major role when the F3 field returns for the finale.
“Monaco is a different type of street track and challenge, while here there’s more high-speed bits which can be a deciding factor when it comes to the race weekend.”
Campos Racing finds a strong platform for the finale
While Ugochukwu ended the 2026 F3 Madrid test fastest overall, Slater was equally competitive across the two days.
The pair effectively shared control of the four sessions, with Ugochukwu topping both morning sessions and Slater going quickest in both afternoon sessions.
That close pace reflects the championship battle that has developed throughout the season, with Ugochukwu now looking to close an eight-point deficit to Slater before the final two rounds.
For Campos Racing, the test was therefore about more than simply setting the fastest time. The team was able to gather valuable data on tyre behaviour, setup and the relationship between its simulator work and the real circuit.
Ugochukwu believes those lessons could prove crucial when the championship returns to Madrid.
“I think, we learned the little bits that we needed to. It was good to experience the real track because before we only had the sim to go off.
“We get a rough idea of how it’s going to be but actually driving here I think the team can really see how everything correlates – how the tyres react around here, when it’s best to do your quick lap – all the stuff we need to maximise in the final round.”
The title fight down to the last rounds
With the two title protagonists so closely matched across the test, there was little to separate Ugochukwu and Slater when the running came to an end.
Ugochukwu, though, heads into the final stages of the season with the fastest time in his pocket and a clear understanding of what Campos Racing needs to extract from its package when the championship fight reaches its conclusion.
The Madring will return to the calendar for the final round of the season, with an additional Feature Race adding even more points to the table and potentially playing a decisive role in the fight for the F3 crown.
