McLaren Junior Driver Ugo Ugochukwu has signed with PREMA Racing for his rookie FIA Formula 3 campaign in 2025.
[adrotate banner=”10″]
Get 10% off all official F1 Merch at TheRaceWorks.com using code ‘EF1‘ at checkout.
Ugochukwu is the first F3 rookie to be announced, though there are more likely more to come. PREMA Racing has yet to reveal who his teammates will be next season.
The American driver has been with PREMA Racing since 2023 when he won the Euro 4 Championship. Before that, Ugochukwu had a successful first year in single-seater racing, where he finished third in British F4. This season, the 17-year-old has been competing with PREMA in the Formula Regional European Championship (FRECA).
Ugochukwu spoke on his continued partnership with PREMA Racing, stating:
“I’m really happy to announce that I will be racing with PREMA in the 2025 FIA Formula 3 Championship.”
“Working with all the people here is special, the chemistry is excellent and it makes the work really enjoyable on and off the track. We have had two positive seasons together and I’m looking forward to building on that and I’m sure we will have a good year.”
McLaren signed Ugo Ugochukwu to their Driver Development Programme back in 2021. Similar to McLaren Formula 1 driver Lando Norris, Ugochukwu won the FIA OK-Junior European Karting Championship before stepping up to single-seaters the following year.
With two races left, the American currently sits 14th in the FRECA standings after a podium and solid points-scoring performances. His PREMA teammate Rafael Camara has already taken the title, while his other teammate James Wharton sits in second. PREMA Racing also secured the 2024 FRECA Team Championship.
Team Principal Rene Rosin had this to say about Ugochukwu’s promotion to F3:
“We enjoyed working with Ugo in the last two years from Formula 4 to Formula Regional, and we think he has great potential. We are convinced that he will be a great fit for FIA Formula 3 next year in terms of approach and driving style. We will soon start preparations and we look forward to helping him make a smooth and successful transition to the new series.”
PREMA Racing’s 2024 Formula 3 driver Arvid Lindblad was one of the first to be confirmed progressing to Formula 2. After great seasons from both Gabriele Minì and Dino Beganovic, it’s possible the team could have a completely new line-up in 2025.
Currently, Ugo Ugochukwu is the only driver PREMA have confirmed for their 2025 Formula 3 line-up. However, it’s possible one of Ugochukwu’s current teammates might also make the step up.
[adrotate banner=”10″]
Get 10% off all official F1 Merch at TheRaceWorks.com using code ‘EF1‘ at checkout.
Feature Image Credit: Formula Motorsport Limited