Ugo Ugochukwu has been unveiled as the first of Carlin’s drivers for the 2022 ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA season.
The rising star from New York, US graduates to Britain’s FIA Formula 4 series, the globally-recognised first step on the pathway to Formula 1, after a successful career in karting at national and international level, including the 2020 FIA European OK Junior title before his graduation to the Senior category in ’21.
Ugochukwu, who will turn 15 on the eve of the new season at Donington Park, Leicestershire next April, has already commanded the attention of McLaren Racing, and begins his single seater journey having signed a long-term driver contract with the Woking-based squad.
“I’m really excited to move up to British F4 next season and follow in the footsteps of many talented drivers,” said Ugochukwu.
“I feel very comfortable with Carlin and our pre-season preparations are already going well. There will be a lot to learnt but I have a great team around me to help deal with all the challenges. I can’t wait to get going.”
Having enjoyed plenty of success during British F4’s ‘Gen 1’ era, Farnham-based Carlin are also the perfect fit for ADD Management-backed Ugochukwu. Trevor Carlin’s eponymous team secured titles in ’15, ’16, ’17 and ’19 courtesy of Lando Norris, Max Fewtrell, Jamie Caroline, and Zane Maloney, and went close in ‘20’s pandemic-hit campaign with Zak O’Sullivan.
And, as the man himself explains, their focus is on hitting the ground running with the new Tatuus-Abarth-Pirelli combination set to position the category as a global leader in the future.
“Ugo is an exciting new talent and we’re delighted to have him with this for this first step on the single-seater ladder,” explained Carlin.
“Despite his very young age, Ugo is doing a great job in winter testing. He’s quietly taking it all in and making big improvements with every session; the sign of a driver full of potential.
“The F4 British Championship is a fantastic series in which to learn and the incorporation of the new Tatuus T-421 makes the series even more relevant. The new car will be a real leveller for all teams and drivers but having produced four Driver Champions and numerous Team titles, we’re determined to start this new era of F4 as strongly as possible.”
Details surrounding Ugochukwu’s new team-mates will be announced in the new year, with interest in the series now at an all-time high.
