McLaren
McLaren signs U.S. karting star Ugochukwu
McLaren has signed American karting prospect Ugo Ugochukwu, who was crowned FIA European karting champion last year.
The 13-year-old won the 2020 FIA OKJ European Championship to add to number of U.S. karting titles, and that success has prompted McLaren to sign him to an agreement that provides “an option on Ugo’s services in the future, while supporting his development and evolution as he progresses through the junior categories of motorsport”.
McLaren holds an interest in both Formula 1 and IndyCar, providing Ugochukwu with multiple career paths in the future.
“We’ve been watching Ugo’s progress with interest, so when the opportunity to sign an agreement with him became available, we had no hesitation moving on it,” McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown said. “Now we’ll focus on giving Ugo the right support when he needs it to help him fulfill his potential.”
The New York-born racer is already a part of ADD Management – which also looks after Lando Norris – and he said the connection with McLaren is a major boost to his career hopes.
“I’m honored to be signed by such an iconic team as McLaren Racing so early in my career,” Ugochukwu said. “To have the support of McLaren is fantastic and what any young driver dreams of. I’m focused right now on developing as a driver and racer, so having McLaren by my side can only help me on and off the track.”
Ugochukwu was part of Sauber Formula 1’s junior karting program last year, and will move up to the senior OK class in Europe this season.
Chris Medland
While studying Sports Journalism at the University of Central Lancashire, Chris managed to talk his way into working at the British Grand Prix in 2008 and was retained for three years before joining ESPN F1 as Assistant Editor. After three further years at ESPN, a spell as F1 Editor at Crash Media Group was followed by the major task of launching F1i.com’s English-language website and running it as Editor. Present at every race since the start of 2014, he has continued building his freelance portfolio, working with international titles. As well as writing for RACER, his broadcast work includes television appearances on F1 TV and as a presenter and reporter on North America's live radio coverage on SiriusXM.
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