Formula 3 News: American Ugo Ugochukwu wins 2024 Macau GP
McLaren development driver Ugo Ugochukwu triumphed in the 2024 Macau GP after also winning the rain-hit Qualification Race on Saturday.
–by Mark Cipolloni–
The American became the first driver from the United States since Bob Earl in 1981 to win around the fearsome Guia Circuit.
The 17-year old American, who drives for the R-ace GP team, got away cleanly from pole position at the start under a Safety Car start and, when the green flag was shown, he held Red Bull junior Oliver Goethe.
A significant pile-up took place at the right-handed Lisboa corner on the first racing lap after Australian youngster James Wharton collided with the tire barrier. With the track blocked several others were forced to stop behind him on the tight streets of Macau.
A lengthy red flag followed before the action could get underway again at the Guia Circuit, but the Safety Car was out yet again when the race restarted, with Liu Ruiqi contacting the barriers on lap 5.
Ugochukwu again led at resumption on lap eight of 15, keeping Goethe at bay.
He then proceeded to pull away over the next couple of laps, stretching his advantage over Goethe to two seconds before yet another caution, this time caused by Sota Ogawa hitting the wall at the first corner.
By the time his car was cleared, there were just two laps remaining and, once again, Ugochukwu was able to keep Goethe at arm’s length to become the first American winner of the Macau GP in over 40 years.
Mexican Formula 3 driver Noel León, rounded off the podium, 2.4s behind Ugochukwu.
Speaking about his win, Ugochukwu said: “I am really happy with today’s win.”
Ugo picks up the trophy previously won by legends like Senna and Schumacher.
Ugochukwu will be joining the Formula 1 support calendar next year, stepping up to FIA Formula 3 with Prema as he looks to progress his promising career.
Official Race Results
