Ugo Ugochukwu tops FIA Formula 3 collective test at Madring
Campos Racing and its drivers had the opportunity to discover the characteristics of Madring during the FIA Formula 3 collective test held over the past two days. The Alzira-based outfit’s trio of drivers in the third tier of the FIA single-seater pyramid completed an excellent preparatory programme, with their focus already on the event that will bring the 2026 season to a close on 12 and 13 September.
The data shows that Campos Racing’s cars completed a total of 356 laps, with Théophile Naël accounting for 123, Ernesto Rivera for 121 and Ugo Ugochukwu for 112. That equates to almost 2,000 kilometres of running around the circuit located in the IFEMA-Valdebebas area, which features as many as 22 corners, many of them linked together in challenging sequences of direction changes.
On Monday morning, when the drivers took to the track for the first time, Ugochukwu struck first. Despite the track still having considerable room for improvement, the American stopped the clock at 1m51.901s to go straight to the top of the standings. Naël and Rivera, meanwhile, posted times of 1m52.550s and 1m53.044s respectively.
In the afternoon, grip levels continued to improve and lap times consequently came down. Naël and Rivera finished third and fourth, with the Frenchman setting a 1m50.423s lap and the Mexican Red Bull Junior Team driver recording a 1m50.744s. Ugochukwu, meanwhile, ended the session ninth with a time of 1m51.010s.
Tuesday marked the second and final day of testing. With cooler temperatures expected in the morning, the opening session was expected to determine the overall benchmark. Ugochukwu delivered a sensational 1m49.034s lap, leaving the second-placed driver almost two tenths behind. Rivera posted a 1m49.522s to take fourth, while Naël completed the top ten with a personal best of 1m49.786s.
The afternoon session was slightly slower, but Ugochukwu was once again among the protagonists. The American eventually set a 1m49.790s, just one tenth away from the benchmark. Naël and Rivera completed another strong showing for Campos Racing, finishing third and fifth respectively with times of 1m50.140s and 1m50.248s.
The decisive phase of the season will be settled in just over a week. The penultimate round will take place at Monza on 5 and 6 September in the usual two-race format, before Madring takes centre stage on 12 and 13 September with three races scheduled to decide the new champion. Campos Racing currently leads the Teams’ Championship, while Ugochukwu, Naël and Rivera sit second, third and fourth respectively in the Drivers’ Championship.
