2024 Macau Grand Prix winner Ugo Ugochukwu will make his New Zealand debut in the 2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy.
Born and raised in New York, 18-year-old Ugo is set to compete in a second season of FIA Formula 3 – joining Campos Racing from Prema with whom he competed in 2025 – but he will begin his racing year with M2 Competition in the four-round NZ Championship, which concludes with the New Zealand Grand Prix.
Ugochukwu brings an impressive track record to NZ. He has competed in junior formulae since 2022, with notable achievements including third for Carlin in the 2022 British Formula 4 Championship. A stand-out 2023 included third in the 2023 Formula 4 UAE Championship, second in the Italian F4 Championship, and first in the Euro 4 Championship – all with Prema.
In 2024, he competed in Formula Regional championships in the Middle East and Europe and won the Macau Grand Prix with R-ace GP. In 2025, another successful campaign in Formula Regional saw a championship win achieved alongside his debut season in FIA F3.
Like several drivers lined up for the four-round 2026 New Zealand Championship, Ugochukwu sees it as ideal preparation at the start of a busy and important season. He’s also looking forward to the challenge of mastering the championship’s challenging tracks.
“I am thrilled to be able to compete in the 2026 Castrol Toyota FR Oceania Trophy,” he said.
“I’ve been following the championship for many seasons now, and I always wanted to be part of it. For that to be 2026, which looks like it is going to be one of the best ever, is even more exciting.
“I am sure it’s going to be a lot of fun learning the local tracks and, in general, to compete outside of Europe is always something that brings new challenges as well as new experiences.”
Fans will be able to easily follow the impressive list of drivers and the championship. Qualifying will be livestreamed on TOYOTA GAZOO Racing New Zealand’s YouTube channel.
Races will also be on that channel and on SkySport domestically in New Zealand. Races will also be streamed live on the Motorsport.TV platform.
Header Image: Supplied
