After storming to the lead early, Ugo Ugochukwu claims his first F3 victory in the Feature Race at the 2026 Australian Grand Prix.
With two safety cars, three penalties and only 23 laps, the Feature race was full of action around Albert Park. Behind Ugochukwu, Freddie Slater slotted into second while Taito Kato secured third securing an all rookie podium.
This Weekend So Far…
Théophile Nael set Albert Park alight as he topped the opening qualifying session of the 2026 Season. The Campos Racing driver outpaced rookie Ugo Ugochukwu by two hundredths of a second. Starting from the second Freddie Slater will be looking to secure a maiden podium in Formula 3.
After securing reverse grid pole position, Bruno Del Pino went on to claim the first victory of the season. The Sprint Race however, was red flagged after nine laps due to a major collision. Australian James Wharton and New Zealand’s Louis Sharp were both sent into the barriers at Turn 5. The two PREMA teammates will be looking to revive their weekend in todays Feature Race.
Less than an hour before the race, PREMA were forced to pull Wharton and Sharp after they sustained significant damage on Saturday.
Nael Leads Off the Start
While Nael holds his position off the line, it was Slater who got the best of Ugochukwu at Turn 1. The Frenchman, who returns for his second season in Formula 3, was able to create a gap of over one second to the field.
With DRS still available in F3, Ugochukwu was able to quickly pass Slater into Turn 9. On Lap Four he made his move, passing his teammate the same way he passed Slater.
With 18 laps still to go, Brando Badoer made his move into fifth, passing Nicola Lacorte in Turn 11. The Italian junior is looking to secure back to back podiums after his third place in yesterday’s Sprint. While Taito Nako was able to pass Mattia Colnaghi, the Japanese driver was then overtaken by Noah Stromsted.
After a spin at the final corner, Badoer dropped down to 11th. Lacorte was back up to fifth. Further back, rookie Nandhavud Bhirombhakdi was forced to retire after beaching his car in the gravel at Turn 12. This incident brought out the first Safety Car of the F3 feature race.
Green Flags on the Feature
After three laps of neutralised racing, Ugochuckwu led the field over the main straight. Nael and Slater were quick to pressure Ugochukwu, with the top three pulling away from the field. One lap later, Lacorte was able to sweep past Maciej Gładysz for fourth. The DAMS Lucas Oil driver continued to charge through the field, stealing third place from Slater.
Stromsted who jumped up to fifth. Not even a lap later, Slater passed Stromsted and Lacorte at Turn 12. Lacorte suffered back to back blows, losing his front wing endplate before receiving a five second time penalty for moving before the signal.
He joins Nael on the list of drivers who has starting procedure infringements, with the Campos Driver also receive five seconds. While Stromsted picked up a ten second time penalty for causing a collision with Lacorte.
Ugochukwu Charges for the Finish
With three laps to go, it was Ugochukwu who pulled away from the field. Four and a half second clear of the field, the American looks set to secure his first victory in Formula 3. Behind him, Slater makes a move for second, passing Nael into Turn 9.
It would be an F3 Race if there wasn’t a dramatic ending. A second Safety Car was deployed as Woohyun Shin pulled to the side of the track on the exit of Turn 6. The Hitch driver went wide at Turn 5, hitting the barriers and sustain race ending damage.
With the race finishing under the safety car, it was Ugochukwu who claimed his first victory in Formula 3. The Campos driver will shoot up to the championship lead. Trident’s Slater secured second, as Kato was bumped up to third, making an all rookie podium in the Feature Race.
Bruno Del Pino just misses out on a second podium at Albert Park finishing the race in fourth. Gladysz finished the race in fifth ahead of Enzo Deligny and Brad Benavides.
Formula 3 returns for Round 2 at the Bahrain Grand Prix on the 10th to 12th of April.