2026 Formula 3 Champion Ugo Ugochukwu Steps Up to Formula 2

As expected, the newly crowned Formula 3 champion will be making his Formula 2 debut in 2027.

Ugo Ugochukwu has signed a deal with Campos Racing to compete in the 2027 FIA Formula 2 Championship. The 19-year-old just had a spectacular year, becoming the first American to win the F3 championship. 

Ugochukwu also drove for Campos Racing in his debut campaign in F3 this year. He immediately made an impact, winning the season-opener feature race in Melbourne. Ugochukwu wouldn't be able to net a win in the next races, but he compiled six podium appearances overall, including a P2 finish in the season finale in Madrid.

Ugochukwu totalled 159 points and led the championship by 14 points over Freddie Slater of Trident. Slater will also be making his F2 debut next year, having signed with Invicta Racing to replace Rafael Camara, who is driving for the TGR Haas F1 Team in 2027.

With Ugochukwu driving for Campos Racing's F2 team next year, someone from their current driver lineup will be leaving after the season. That would be either Noel Leon or Nikola Tsolov. 

Leon, a 21-year-old Mexican racing driver, has scored 133 points with two races left in the F2 calendar. On the other hand, Tsolov, the more well-known prospect, has scored 200 and is just seven points behind Camara's championship-leading 207. With Camara potentially driving for Haas in the remaining three Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends, Tsolov could cruise to the championship, that is, if the former skips the last two F2 races.

Tsolov, who is participating in a Test of Previous Cars (TPC) programme in Hungary this week, is the more promising prospect than Leon. The 19-year-old Bulgarian racing driver was reportedly in the running for a Racing Bulls F1 seat in 2027, until the team recently confirmed Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad.

Still, Tsolov should be waiting in the wings for a spot on the F1 grid soon. It's more likely that Leon will stay in F2 next season, teaming up with Ugochukwu.

Cadillac, an American outfit, has long been vocal about its desire to sign an American driver for its F1 team. They've been giving tons of opportunities to former American IndyCar star Colton Herta, despite his struggles in F2. 

Ugochukwu is definitely a star in the making. If he does well in F2 next year, don't be surprised if he lands a Cadillac seat in 2028.