SPRINT RACE: Ugochukwu in a league of his own around Silverstone

Ugo Ugochukwu became the first repeat winner of the 2026 FIA Formula 3 season, claiming victory of the Silverstone Sprint Race.

The Campos Racing driver kept the lead at the start before driving off into the distance to win by 17 seconds. AIX Racing’s Yevan David became the first Sri Lankan driver to achieve a podium in F3 in P2, while Théophile Nael overtook Matteo De Palo at the last corner to finish third.

AS IT HAPPENED

It was a great start for Ugochukwu from pole, who retained the lead early on despite pressure from David on the opening lap. Behind them, Alessandro Giusti retained P3 ahead of James Wharton and Noah Stromsted.

The entire field was within DRS range of the other on Lap 3, as Nael started his charge by diving to the inside of Fionn McLaughlin at Brooklands to take eighth.

The Campos driver was looking to make more moves at the same corner on Lap 5. This time he went around the outside of Maciej Gladysz, but the ART Grand Prix rookie held him off.

The top four drivers of Ugochukwu, David, Giusti and Wharton were pulling away from the rest, with Stromsted over a second behind at the end of Lap 7.

However, the TRIDENT driver was able to close back in once Wharton and Giusti started battling. The Australian made a neat move around the outside at Brooklands to move up to third.

The MP Motorsport driver looked to be struggling as Stromsted then overtook him at Copse, dropping him to fifth.

As the race reached the halfway stage on Lap 9, Ugochukwu had built a three second lead on David, who was now facing a battle for P2 from Wharton and Stromsted.

The TRIDENT’s of Stromsted and de Palo were showing electric form, as both overtook Wharton, the Dane going around the outside at Maggots and Becketts. The latter made his move to the inside at Copse.

Ugochukwu was 5.8s clear out in front, as David looked to hold off Stromsted, de Palo and Nael, who had just overtaken Wharton for fifth on Lap 11.

At the end of Lap 12 however, the two TRIDENT cars touched at the Vale chicane, allowing David to build a gap of 1.2s.

Stromsted and de Palo continued their fighting through Luffield, with Nael right on the back of the duo looking to take advantage.

The French driver saw his opportunity and took it on Lap 14, making another neat move to the inside at Brooklands on de Palo to take fourth place.

Stromsted however had closed back in on David, but he was not alone as there was a huge group of cars behind them with Nael, De Palo, Gladysz, McLaughlin, Louis Sharp and Slater all watching on.

At the end of Lap 16, de Palo retook P4 from Nael at Stowe. On to the penultimate lap, and the Italian continued his charge to the podium, overtaking teammate Stromsted on the run to Copse.

The Danish driver lost another place, this time to Nael at Luffield, dropping him to fifth on the final lap.

Ugochukwu however was at his brilliant best out in front winning by 17 seconds to claim his second victory of the season. David held on to take his maiden podium, while Nael overtook de Palo at the final corner to take P3.

Stromsted finished behind his teammate in fifth, with Gladysz in sixth, Slater in seventh and Sharp in P8. McLaughlin took his first Formula 3 points in P9 with Wharton ending up P10.

KEY QUOTE – Ugo Ugochukwu, Campos Racing

“I’m super happy, second win of the season, but most of all the pace was amazing. Really good second and last part of the race, we managed to pull a big gap, so that fills us with confidence for tomorrow, so I am sure we can come through the field and score some more good points tomorrow.”

CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

Ugo Ugochukwu leads the Drivers’ Championship on 89 points, with Freddie Slater still in second place on 66. Théophile Nael is third with 60 points, ahead of Bruno del Pino in fourth on 49. Noah Stromsted rounds out the top five on 47 points.

In the Teams’ Standings, Campos Racing are on top with 175 points, ahead of TRIDENT on 120. Van Amersfoort Racing are third on 109 points, followed by fourth-placed Rodin Motorsport who have 78 points. ART Grand Prix close out the top five on 52 points.

UP NEXT

The drivers will be back out on track at Silverstone on Sunday morning for the Feature Race. Lights out is set for 08:25 local time.