Ugochukwu reigns as champion as F3 fizzles to end in Madrid, Taponen race winner

Ugo Ugochukwu has been crowned as the 2026 FIA Formula 3 champion for Campos Racing, seeing off Trident’s Freddie Slater at an up-down final round at the new MAD-Ring in Spain. MP Motorsport’s Tuukka Taponen became the first Finnish race winner in the series as he led Ugochukwu home ahead of Rodin’s Pedro Clerot.

Ugochukwu took two race victories this season, with six total podiums to his name as he made consistent finishes a factor of his campaign.

Race one of the weekend saw little entertainment, with just one completed pass before race two saw a seven car accident on lap one brought red flags out and brought rewards to drivers who escaped the carnage.

Going into race three, American Ugochukwu took second on the grid with rival Slater down in eighth on a track that has proved hard to pass other cars on. He maintained position the whole race, failing to challenge eventual winner Taponen meaningfully but crossed the line to become the first F3 champion from the USA.

📸Image credits: Formula Motorsport Limited.