McLaren Development Driver Ugo Ugochukwu has been promoted to Prema Racing’s FIA Formula 3 squad for the 2025 season.
The 17-year-old, who was signed to McLaren’s Driver Development Programme whilst still karting in 2021, has been competing for the Italian Prema outfit in the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine this year.
He currently sits 14th in the Drivers’ standings with one weekend to go, having scored nine points finishes from 18 races, including third at the Hungaroring.
The American had finished runner-up in the 2023 Italian Formula 4 Championship with Prema, having finished third in the British F4 Championship with Carlin the year previously.
In the same year, also with Prema, he won the inaugural season of the Euro 4 Championship, winning three of the six races, competing against F2-bound Red Bull-backed British driver Arvid Lindblad.
Ugochukwu has also tested for the McLaren FIA Formula E team, placing 17th fastest out of 22 at the young rookie test at the Berlin Tempelhof Circuit in May, along with Swiss driver Grégoire Saucy.
In a statement released by Prema, Ugochukwu said: “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.”
Rene Rosin, Prema Team Principal added, “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.”
The final two races of the Formula Regional championship take place at Monza on November 27th.
