In signing American young driver Ugo Ugochukwu, the McLaren Driver Development programme snapped up one of the hottest prospects in junior motorsport. 

The European karting champion originally signed a long-term agreement with McLaren in 2021, shortly after sealing the FIA OK-Junior European Karting Championship title, which Lando Norris also won on his climb up the junior motorsport ladder.

Ugo began his karting career in America, winning the Mkro ROK Cup USA Championship when he was only seven. Following that early success, he continued racking up numerous karting accolades, including the Junior ROK Challenge of the Americas and Mini X30 IAME All-Stars Finals. 

He stepped up to single-seaters at the start of 2022, finishing as the highest-placed rookie in third in British Formula 4 with two wins and 11 podiums. He dovetailed his British F4 campaign with races in ADAC F4 and Italian F4, where he also notched podiums. 

In 2023, the American will race full-time in Italian and European F4 with PREMA, whilst continuing his progression with the McLaren Driver Development programme.

As a member of the programme, Ugo will be supported in his journey from junior motorsport to professional racing driver.