Cadillac targeting towering American after Formula 3 title triumph?

Cadillac are planning to sign 19-year-old American Ugo Ugochukwu as a reserve driver for the 2027 season, with plans to hand him Friday free practice outings. The 2-metre-tall Campos driver clinched the Formula 3 championship at the end of the season, and while he is yet to officially announce his plans for 2027, he is widely expected to graduate to Formula 2 next year.

Since the inception of Cadillac's Formula 1 project, the American outfit has made no secret of its desire to have at least one American behind the wheel. Colton Herta made the move to Formula 2 with that in mind, but a difficult campaign for the IndyCar star means he is unlikely to gather enough Super Licence points to secure a full-time F1 seat.

Ugochukwu was a member of McLaren's driver development programme until 2025, but competed throughout 2026 without any F1 backing following his release. Towards the end of the F3 season, Red Bull were also linked with an interest in the young American, though Cadillac have now emerged in pole position to secure his signature.

In June, Ugo completed his first test in Formula 1 machinery under TPC regulations, driving an Alpine A524 at Monza. However, his running was cut short prematurely after an off at the Ascari chicane.