Nigerian-American teenager Ugo Ugochukwu has won the 2026 Formula 3 championship after finishing second in the final race of the season in Madrid, Spain.

The 19-year-old secured the title with 159 points, finishing 14 points ahead of British driver Freddie Slater, who ended the championship with 145 points.

Ugochukwu, who races for Campos Racing, entered the final round level on points with Slater after previously trailing the British driver during the season.

He kept his composure in the decisive race to finish second and secure the championship, while Finland’s Tuukka Taponen claimed victory in the race.

Taponen led from pole position into the opening turn and maintained his advantage over Ugochukwu before a late Safety Car intervention created a final-lap sprint.

The Finnish driver held on to win his first Formula 3 race, while Ugochukwu finished second and Pedro Clerot completed the podium in third.

Slater finished eighth in the final race, leaving him second in the overall championship standings.

Speaking after securing the title, Ugochukwu said the team knew they needed to avoid mistakes and bring the car home safely to clinch the championship.

The victory makes Ugochukwu the first Formula 3 champion from the United States.

Born and raised in New York City, Ugochukwu is the son of Nigerian fashion model Oluchi Onweagba and her Italian husband.

He joins the ranks of former Formula 3 champions Oscar Piastri and Gabriel Bortoleto, who have progressed to Formula One with McLaren and Audi respectively.

Formula 3 is one level below Formula 2 in the single-seater racing ladder leading to Formula One.