When 13-year old karting champion, Ugo Ugochukwu put pen to paper on a long term deal for Formula1 giant, McLaren, the internet was in a buzz.
Ugochukwu, born in the United States to an Italian father and Nigerian mother has been a sensational kid tipped for greatness in the sport.
At eight, he was a World Gokart Champion, and had worked hard for his current contract. Tipped to emulate the career of Lewis Hamilton, arguably the greatest F1 driver ever and the only black man in the sport, Ugochukwu is trailing the paths of legends.
Like Hamilton, he has signed a deal with the Woking squad aged just 13 and it is one that highlights the huge potential and greatness seen in the young teenager. His new team describes him as a revelation and that’s everything he is. Champion in karting in Europe and America, Ugochuwkwu by teaming up with McLaren joins an esteemed list of drivers caught in their budding years. Of those, Hamilton, Kevin Magnussen and Lando Norris readily come to mind.
Team Principal for Mc Laren, Andreas Seidl said the company will always try to identify fantastic young talents like Ugo. Having observed him for some years, the company acted fast and keyed into his future before he gets snatched right under their nose.
McLaren CEO, Zak Brown said; “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,” Now we’ll focus on giving Ugo the right support when he needs it to help him fulfil his potential.”
Born Into Beauty & Design
Formula 1 is much as artful as it can get and Ugo was born into art. His father, Luca Orlandi, is an Italian fashion designer of repute while his mother, Oluchi Onweagba is one of Nigeria’s finest supermodels, with many of her styles keenly followed in Nigeria. She rose from obscurity many years ago to emerge as the ‘Face of Africa’ and her story has been greater ever since.
The couple have two sons and Oluchi showed her ecstasy on the announcement of her son’s contract on her Instagram page.
The family has been getting congratulatory messages across Africa on their little boy’s great achievement. It’s a big future ahead for young Ugochukwu as he’s on a path many have trailed successfully. Should the teenage sensation continue on this trajectory, the world is his for the taking. Another black hero is on the horizon in Formula 1.