MACAU (ChatnewsTV) — Ugo Ugochukwu made history this weekend by winning the 2024 FIA FR World Cup and the prestigious 71st Macau Grand Prix. The 17-year-old American secured a flawless victory, becoming the first U.S. driver to win the event since Bob Earl’s triumph in 1981.
Despite a weekend of unpredictable weather in Macau, Ugochukwu led every session with precision and composure. Sunday’s race, which began under challenging conditions due to lingering rain, saw the young R-ace GP driver dominate from start to finish. He crossed the line ahead of Olivier Goethe from MP Motorsport and Noel León of KCMG IXO by Pinnacle Motorsport.
“I can’t describe the feeling, of course I’m super happy,” said Ugochukwu after the race.
“It was quite a tricky race, I was pushing the whole way, but I was confident in the pace… and yeah, super happy to finally get the job done.”
The contest saw multiple safety car interruptions, starting with a cautious lap behind the safety car due to damp patches on the track. However, Ugochukwu expertly managed each restart, leaving his closest competitors, Goethe and León, unable to capitalize on the slippery conditions. A dramatic mid-race pileup involving James Wharton and several others prompted a red flag, allowing marshals to clear the track.
After a 15-minute pause, the race resumed with Ugochukwu once again commanding the field. The young driver’s cool demeanor stood out as he repeatedly handled the pressure, even during four safety car periods. Each time, he executed flawless restarts to maintain his lead.
Second-place finisher Goethe expressed mixed emotions about his result: “It’s a bittersweet feeling… I had it in me to win. It came down to the 1 hundredth from qualifying that maybe decided the weekend, but full credit to Ugo, he did a great job.”
Meanwhile, third-placed León emphasized the intensity of the battle for the final podium spot.
“Everyone behind wants to send it to be on the podium! It was super difficult, but I’m super happy to finish on the podium here in Macau,” he said.
The race’s challenging conditions tested the skills of all participants. The final laps saw several notable performances, including Mari Boya’s impressive rise from the back of the grid to seventh place and Tuukka Taponen’s top ten finish after starting from the back row. The chaotic race concluded with another crash, as British driver Freddie Slater’s bold move for third place ended in the barriers.
This inaugural FIA FR World Cup event underscored the demanding nature of the Macau circuit, with FIA Single-Seater Committee President Emanuele Pirro acknowledging the difficulties: “The conditions since Thursday have made something of a ‘perfect storm’… but I think all of us will have a lot to analyze and learn from for when we return next year.”
