Ugo Ugochukwu became the first repeat winner of the 2026 F3 season. The Campos driver produced a commanding drive in Saturday’s Sprint Race at Silverstone.
While Ugo controlled the race from the front, the battle behind remained wide open throughout. By the end of 18 laps, Yevan David secured both his maiden F3 podium and the first podium for a Sri Lankan driver in the championship.
The podium was rounded up by Théophile Naël, who delivered a masterclass of racing as he climbed from 11th on the grid to snatch third place on the final lap.
Ugochukwu controls the race from lights out
Starting from reverse-grid pole, Ugochukwu made the launch he needed to keep David behind. Headed into Turn 1, the Campos driver gained an early momentumum to try and build a gap before settling into an early rhythm at the front.
Although David remained within DRS during the opening laps, Ugochukwu ultimately remained out of reach. The Campos driver gradually began stretching his advantage early on and broke out of DRS reach as the race developed. By half distance, he had opened a comfortable gap before eventually taking the chequered flag over 17 seconds clear of the rest of the field.
Ugochukwu revealed after the race that the victory had been built on managing the race rather than simply pushing from the outset.
“First part of the race, kind of managing the pace, managing tyres. And then I think when the others started to drop off, my pace stayed really consistent.”
That consistency became increasingly evident as the laps unfolded. While the midfield battle intensified, tyre degradation began affecting those behind. Yet out front, Ugochukwu continued his pace, even setting his fastest lap in the closing stages.
“Every lap I was feeling super good out there. Just kind of feeling in the zone.”
The result marked a significant turnaround from Friday.
“Overall yesterday, both in FP and Qualifying, I wasn’t feeling super comfortable, struggling a little bit overall. But today I felt much better and that showed as well on the pace side of things.”
Rather than focusing solely on the victory, Ugochukwu was already looking ahead to Sunday’s Feature Race. He believes that Saturday’s pace gives Campos confidence. Despite starting outside the points, he is looking to replicate his team mates’ charge through the grid.
“The pace was really strong, which fills us with a lot of confidence going into tomorrow.”
David delivers a breakthrough podium under pressure
Behind the leader, Yevan David’s afternoon became a very different challenge.
The Sri Lankan driver qualified inside the reverse-grid positions for the first time this season. The AIX Racing driver admitted a podium had exceeded his original expectations.
“I was expecting to be in the reverse grid in qualifying… but definitely I always wanted to go for the win today. Unfortunately Ugo was a lot quicker.”
Instead, David spent much of the race balancing tyre management with defending from the growing train of cars behind him.
“This was the main debate in my mind for the whole race, whether to push or to be in the DRS or save tyres.”
As the closing laps approached, pressure continued to build as the Trident pair, Naël, and several others closed in.
“Basically driving in my mirrors, honestly. There was a lot of chaos behind me.”
Despite the relentless pressure, David held on to secure second place. While doing so, he became the first Sri Lankan driver to stand on an F3 podium.
“Just to see the flag up on the podium was just such a surreal feeling. I’m very proud of my country and myself.”
The result carried significance beyond his own season. With David hoping it inspires future generations of Sri Lankan drivers he is looking to show that anything is possible.
“I think it’s a very important thing for me and for Sri Lanka to show that it is possible from a tiny island nation to go big.”
Naël’s patience pays off in late charge
While Ugochukwu controlled proceedings and David defended, Naël was working his way through the field after starting 11th.
Rather than forcing moves early, the Campos driver focused on preserving his tyres. before increasing the pace during the second half of the race.
“First, really good start, then managing a bit of tyres. Then I saw that mid-race the pace was really good, so I started to push step by step.”
That measured approach proved decisive as the closing laps unfolded.
With De Palo, Strømsted and Wharton fighting ahead, Naël remained within striking distance, occasionally making moves. He eventually made a move at the final corner to steal the final podium position.
Looking back, he felt avoiding unnecessary tyre wear had been one of the biggest factors behind his recovery.
“I wasn’t in the dirty places the whole race. I was in the right lines every time. The guys ahead were fighting like crazy, going on the grass, going in the dirty places, so I think that helped quite a lot for my tyres.”
The recovery from 11th to third also leaves him optimistic heading into Sunday’s Feature Race.
“I think it’s good points and good confidence for tomorrow.”
Silverstone rewards patience over aggression
Each podium finisher reached the top three in different ways, all three pointed to tyre management as the defining factor of the race.
For Ugochukwu, it was maintaining a consistent pace while others faded. For David, it meant constantly weighing up whether to defend, save tyres or remain inside DRS. For Naël, it was staying patient before attacking as grip levels dropped around him.
Those contrasting approaches produced one of the most entertaining Sprint Races of the season. While Ugochukwu drove clear at the front, the battle behind remained fiercely contested until the final corner.
With Campos showing impressive race pace across both cars and several front-runners proving recovery drives are possible around Silverstone, the stage is set for an intriguing Feature Race on Sunday.