Ugo Ugochukwu is pleased to be stepping up to Formula 3 in 2025, but he is even happier to be doing so with PREMA Racing given their history together.

The American driver and the Italian team first linked up in his maiden campaign in single seater racing in 2022 before continuing on together in 2023.

That year, Ugochukwu won the Euro 4 title, finished as the Italian F4 runner-up and third in the Formula 4 UAE Championship.

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After another campaign racing in PREMA colours in 2024, securing one victory and two podiums in total in the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine, Ugochukwu is delighted to be moving up to F3 with the team.

“I am really excited to get started of course, just looking forward to this season,” he said. “It’s my first year in F3, but I’m just looking forward to it. Being with PREMA again, it fills me with confidence.

“We’ve had a decent last two and half seasons with them, so just looking forward to building the relationship even more. I am quite confident we'll have some good results.”

Ugochukwu had four days of post-season testing with PREMA in Jerez and Barcelona
Ugochukwu had four days of post-season testing with PREMA in Jerez and Barcelona

Ugochukwu got his first taste of a PREMA F3 car at the two post-season tests in Jerez and Barcelona last year and felt he learned a lot while looking to adapt to this level of car.

But he was quick to acknowledge that there will be a new car this year and put an emphasis on the importance of pre-season testing in Barcelona before the first round in Melbourne.

“I think F3 is obviously going be a step up,” he continued. “The car is a lot quicker and has more downforce, so we're going to be carrying more G through corners. So, of course, we're all working hard in the off-season to be prepared for the start of the year.

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“I learned a lot in those four days, adapting more to this type of car. It's a new car this season, so it’s going be about adapting in the pre-season test and making sure we're ready for Round 1 in Melbourne.

“It’s going to be a big challenge for everybody, but everyone is starting on the same level playing field, so it's going to be about learning as much as possible in the pre-season test in Barcelona to be prepared for Melbourne.”

Ugochukwu is targeting scoring points at each round this season
Ugochukwu is targeting scoring points at each round this season

Ugochukwu will have a couple of new teammates this year in Noel León and Brando Badoer, and he expects them to be a strong trio throughout the campaign.

But solely focusing on himself and his 2025 season, the 18-year-old, fresh from his Macau Grand Prix victory, is looking to be consistently fighting at the front.

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“The goal is to be fighting at the front,” Ugochukwu added. “It's a really competitive championship of course but ideally my goal is to be as consistent as possible throughout the season. I'm sure if we pick up the points in each round, I'm sure we will be fighting at the front at the end of the season.”