Friday, November 13, 2026

Nigerian model Oluchi Onweagba’s son Ugo Ugochukwu crowned 2026 F3 champion

Ugochukwu races under the United States flag, which is the country of his birth.

• September 13, 2026

The 19-year-old son of Nigerian fashion model Oluchi Onweagba, Ugo Ugochukwu, has clinched the 2026 FIA Formula 3 (F3) Championship on the last race of the season.

Heading into the final race of the season at the Madring in Spain on Sunday, the Campos Racing driver and his rival Freddie Slater were on the same 141 points, with Ugochukwu needed to only finish ahead to clinch the title.

Ugochukwu, who lined up second for the race, managed to maintain the position until the end of the session to secure the title with 159 points, ahead of rookie Slater who managed 145 points after finishing eight in the race.

During the course of the F3 championship, which started in March this year, the former McLaren Academy driver earned two victories and seven podiums across both feature and sprint races.

Though born to a Nigerian mother and Italian fashion designer father Luca Orlandi, Ugochukwu races under the United States flag, which is the country of his birth.

Speaking after the race, Ugochukwu, who is famous for his height as he currently stands at 1.92 metres tall, said he was excited about winning the championship and Campos Racing clinching the Team’s 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,” he stated.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

Nigerian Bar Association

States

Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future

The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Climate change logo

Economy

UN chief seeks increased investment in clean electricity

Mr Guterres made the call during a high-level dialogue on clean energy transition and electrification, titled ‘35 by 35: Powering the Future’, in Antalya, Türkiye.

Lisbon Airport Credit :LoungeinDex

Opinion

Rudolf Okonkwo: Diary of an African travelling across Europe

The Europeans who once crossed oceans to divide Africa among themselves have now found ways to bring much of their own continent together.

Russel Brand in court Credit: DW News

Showbiz

Meta deactivates Russell Brand’s Instagram, Facebook accounts after rape sentencing

Meta has deactivated British former comedian and actor Russell Brand’s Instagram and Facebook accounts following his conviction and sentencing for four sexual offences.

Chris Ngige

Abuja

NSITF: EFCC continues N2 billion fraud trial against ex-labour minister Chris Ngige

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, says it has continued prosecuting former labour minister Chris Ngige over alleged abuse of office.

Trading floor

Economy

Stock market loses N293 billion as profit-taking persists

The Nigerian stock market closed on a negative note on Wednesday as investors’ wealth declined by N293 billion.

Tuberculosis patient

Health

Domestic TB funding rose 14% to $5.6 billion, says WHO

WHO says domestic funding for TB rose 14 per cent to $5.6 billion between 2024 and 2025, helping sustain essential services despite declining international financing.