By Formula One team, McLaren, on Monday, announced the signing of a long-term agreement with 13-year-old American-Nigerian karting “revelation”, Ugo Ugochukwu to support him through the junior categories of motorsport.
The teenager won last year’s European FIA OKJ European kart championship after taking a string of titles in the United States. He started his karting career in New York State in 2013.
In a statement, McLaren Racing 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,” he added.
McLaren’s most famous junior signing was Britain’s Lewis Hamilton who would later become a seven-time world champion. Hamilton was backed by the Woking team and Mercedes from the age of 13 and made his F1 debut in 2007 — winning his first F1 title with McLaren in 2008 before moving to Mercedes in 2013.
“I’m honoured to be signed by such an iconic team as McLaren Racing so early in my career. To have the support of McLaren is fantastic and what any young driver dreams of,” Ugochukwu said.
Though born in New York, the teenager has Nigerian roots. His mother, Oluchi Onweagba-Orlandi is a popular super model who has walked the runways for popular designers like Gucci, Fendi, Chanel, Christian Dior, Carolina Herrera, John Galliano, Missoni, Tommy Hilfiger, among others.
Oluchi, who grew up in the suburbs of Lagos, began her career on an international level when she won ‘The Face of Africa’ contest in 1998 — at the age of 16.
The mother of two took to Instagram to celebrate her son’s feat.
