Mixed feelings for Ugochukwu in Monza
Very hot conditions and extreme tire degradation is what the young drivers of the F4 Italian Championship, including American talent Ugo Ugochukwu, will particularly remember of the past weekend. Ugochukwu, sitting in P2 in the championship standings, was in fact one of the many drivers racing for points under the burning sun of Monza.
Starting off the weekend with a very positive P6 in the first session of free Practice, Ugochukwu went on to finish the first morning of the fourth Round at the top of the ranks, clocking in the fastest time of the day in the second session (1’57.873), just in front of the Italian Badoer and Australian teammate Wharton.
As the moment came, to join the grid out on track for the Qualifying session in the afternoon the young American proved his speed once again, taking home a P7 and a P4 finish. Thanks to a promising performance in Qualy, the 16-year-old was able to start both of the upcoming races in the Top 5, allowing him to challenge for the top ranks in both occasions.
An unfortunate end to the first official race of the weekend saw a hard-charging Ugochukwu take the lead of the race after starting in P7, but losing the win due to a penalty. Despite an unlucky start to the weekend, the PREMA Driver did not get discouraged, and went out again for Race 2 with the same determination and passion which defines him, and went on to conquer a third position after gaining a position on track.
The final race of the weekend was everything but ordinary. Thanks to the results obtained in the previous races, Ugo started Race 3 in a comfortable P4, from which a win was very much at reach: from the moment the lights turned off, the American wasted no time and got involved into the fight for the leading position, conquered first place and lead the pack, with Lindblad and Sztuka right at his tale. An unfortunate contact on track mid-race saw him fall back in the order after his car got spun around, and he eventually terminated the race in P9.
Not the end to the weekend Ugochukwu was looking for, but an overall dominant pace characterized his presence at the fourth championship round, held at the “Temple of Speed” in Monza. If you missed out on this weekend’s action, click the here to live the thrill of junior motorsport at its finest!
