Ugo Ugochukwu hailed his 2026 FIA Formula 3 campaign as an almost “perfect season” after completing a remarkable championship turnaround in Madrid to become Campos Racing’s first F3 Drivers’ Champion.
The American arrived at the Spanish GP finale 15 points behind Freddie Slater but steadily erased that deficit across the weekend. After entering the final Feature Race 2 level with the TRIDENT driver on 141 points, Ugochukwu finished second behind Tuukka Taponen while Slater took eighth.
The result left Ugochukwu on 159 points, 14 clear of Slater, and completed a championship double for Campos after the Spanish squad had already secured the Teams’ title during Feature Race 1.
Speaking in the FIA Formula 3 Champions Press Conference after the title was decided, Ugochukwu reflected on his approach to the weekend, his progression from a difficult rookie campaign and the significance of delivering Campos Racing its first F3 Drivers’ crown.
Ugochukwu focused on execution in 2026 F3 Madrid decider
Despite arriving in Madrid behind Slater, the championship equation changed considerably before the final race.
Ugochukwu collected enough points across the Sprint Race and Feature Race 1 to draw level with his title rival, leaving both drivers on 141 heading into the final contest of the season.
While speaking to Formula 3 after the race, he admitted that entering the decisive race tied on points was not something he had expected before the weekend.
“For sure, I was not expecting to come into the final race equal on points, but it made it very exciting. I think we did a good job all weekend. We put ourselves in a good position after qualifying and in the races, so today was just about executing and doing our job properly. P2 was not a bad result. I was just trying to manage my tyres. We knew that was what I needed to win the championship, so it was just about getting it home.”
With Taponen leading from pole, Ugochukwu did not need to take unnecessary risks in pursuit of victory. Second was comfortably enough to move him beyond Slater in the final standings, allowing the Campos driver to manage his race around the championship rather than the outright win.
Melbourne breakthrough gave Ugochukwu confidence for title fight
Ugochukwu finished the season with two victories and seven podiums, but identified his opening-round success in Melbourne as one of the defining moments of his campaign.
The victory established him immediately as a championship contender and, according to Ugochukwu, gave him confidence that he could sustain a title challenge across the season.
“I think there are a few. For sure, round one in Melbourne was super special. That was my first win in Formula 3 and it gave me a lot of confidence to continue pushing throughout the season, knowing that we were in the championship fight. Monza was also important, coming back to score a few points. We were fortunate to come into this weekend only 15 points behind, and that really allowed us to apply pressure, attack and ultimately take the championship.”
Monza proved important for a different reason. While Slater retained a 15-point lead entering Madrid, Ugochukwu remained close enough to ensure the championship could still swing his way across the expanded finale.
That possibility became reality as Campos consistently accumulated points while Slater endured a difficult first two races in Madrid.
Second F3 season shows Ugochukwu’s development
The championship also represented a significant turnaround from Ugochukwu’s first season in FIA Formula 3.
After a difficult rookie campaign, he returned for a second year with Campos and emerged as one of the most consistent drivers on the grid. Ugochukwu believes the title reflects the progress he has made since first stepping into the championship.
“I am super happy. Overall, I think I have improved and evolved as a driver. That is also my goal for the following years, to keep performing better and better. This title is a testament to that, so I am really happy with the work we have put in with the team. I am super happy for them as well, clinching the Teams’ Championship yesterday, and today we got the job done to seal both. It has been pretty much a perfect season for us.”
Campos’ success added another dimension to Ugochukwu’s championship. The team finished the year with both titles after sealing the Teams’ Championship one race before its driver completed the double.
Ugochukwu’s victory also made him the first FIA Formula 3 Drivers’ Champion in Campos Racing history.
“I always kept the faith” despite losing championship advantage
Ugochukwu had spent much of the season at or near the top of the Drivers’ standings before Slater gained the advantage during the latter stages.
However, he said losing control of the championship never became a reason to doubt his chances completely.
“I would not say I doubted, but there were definitely some points when it looked like we had lost the advantage and needed to come back a little bit.
He continued, “I always kept the faith that I would be able to do it. I had a lot of confidence coming into this weekend, despite being 15 points behind, and I knew it was still possible. We executed everything well, and that allowed us to get the job done.”
Madrid ultimately rewarded that confidence. Ugochukwu turned his 15-point deficit into a 14-point championship victory, creating a 29-point swing relative to Slater across the finale.
The turnaround was built less around one dramatic result than consistent execution across the weekend. By the time the pair entered Feature Race 2 tied, Ugochukwu had already transformed the championship situation from one in which he needed to chase into one where second place was enough.
Historic Campos Racing title ‘super special’ for Ugochukwu
Ugochukwu was also keen to highlight the role Campos Racing played in his progression and eventual championship success.
The Spanish squad entered the year targeting both championships and ultimately achieved that goal on home soil, with the Teams’ title secured during Saturday’s Feature Race 1 before Ugochukwu completed the double the following day.
“It is super special. The whole team is very happy with this. Our goal at the beginning of the year was to fight for the championship, and that is what we have done. We managed to come out on top, so I cannot thank each and every one of them enough for all their hard work. We have worked well together since before the season started, and I think that really paid off. Starting the championship well is always important, and we finished the season well this weekend too. I am really happy to clinch this first title for Campos.”
The result capped a dominant Teams’ Championship campaign for Campos, which ended the season 117 points clear of TRIDENT.
For Ugochukwu, it also provided another championship in a successful 2026 season and strengthened his case for progression further up the single-seater ladder.
Formula 2 the ‘logical step’ after 2026 F3 championship
With his second F3 campaign now ending in a championship, attention will inevitably turn towards Ugochukwu’s plans for 2027.
The newly crowned champion acknowledged that Formula 2 represents the natural next stage, although he was not ready to confirm his programme immediately after sealing the title.
“We will see. Formula 2 is, of course, the next logical step up the ladder towards everyone’s dream of Formula 1. For now, I am just enjoying this title and this championship. The whole of 2026 has been very good for me, winning two championships, and we will see what 2027 brings.”
For now, Ugochukwu leaves Madrid as the 2026 FIA Formula 3 Champion after converting a 15-point deficit into a 14-point title-winning margin over the course of the final weekend.
More significantly, the championship represents the clearest evidence yet of the progress he believes he has made since his rookie F3 season. After beginning 2026 with victory in Melbourne and ending it by delivering Campos Racing a historic Drivers’ crown in Madrid, Ugochukwu’s second year in the category concluded with both driver and team achieving the target they had set before the season began.
