Written by Vyas Ponnuri, Sean McKean, and Sophie Harvey
Welcome to Feeder Series Recap, a new series bringing you the best of driver announcements from the world of Formula 2, Formula 3, as well as F1 Academy. This week's recap talks about a big junior making a step up, whilst a famous female racer has switched allegiances for next year. Without further ado, let's dive right in!
FORMULA 3: Mari Boya continues with Campos Racing
Continuing for a third year in FIA Formula 3 is Spaniard Mari Boya. He comes off his statistically best season in his F3 career, finishing 15th in the standings and notching his maiden win in his home sprint race.
The 20-year-old started his single-seaters career in 2020 in his home Formula 4 championship. There, he took three victories and 14 podiums, enough to earn him second in the standings behind dominant champion and current Porsche Supercup driver Kas Haverkort.
He then made the move into the Formula Regional European Championship (FRECA) in for 2021 and 2022. Although these two years only harboured two podiums, Boya showed strong pace at points despite racing for three teams.
Boya advanced to FIA F3 in 2023 and has been there since. In total, he has amassed two podiums including one victory in 2024. During the winter, he's also partaken in the Formula Regional Middle Eastern Championship. There, he has taken two wins and six total podiums.
FORMULA 3: Charlie Wurz moves to Trident for sophomore season
Another driver continuing in FIA F3 is Charlie Wurz, who moves from the outgoing Jenzer team to the drivers' championship-winning Trident outfit. Last season, he finished 22nd in the standings with ten points, achieving a best finish of fifth in the Melbourne feature race.
Wurz started his full-time single-seaters journey in 2022 in the F4 UAE Championship in the winter, wherein he won the title over the likes of Rafael Câmara and James Wharton. In the summer, the Austrian raced in Italian and ADAC F4, where he took one victory.
He then advanced to Formula Regional machinery by starting the 2023 season in New Zealand, winning the FROC title. In the summer, he only did half a season in FRECA before finishing out the year in Euroformula Open. He took a combined five victories.
The 18-year-old now steps up to the Trident team after a turbulent rookie season with Jenzer in FIA F3.
FORMULA 3: Ugo Ugochukwu steps up to Formula 3 with PREMA Racing in 2025
McLaren junior Ugo Ugochukwu makes a highly-anticipated step-up to PREMA Racing's Formula 3 operation in 2025. The 17-year-old currently drives for the Italian team in the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA), sitting 14th in the standings with 45 points to his name.
While his season hasn't quite stood out in the same fashion as teammates Rafael Camara and James Wharton, who occupy the top two in the championship standings, there's no doubt Ugochukwu would be too disappointed with how his inaugural FRECA season has progressed.
A podium at the Hungaroring remains his best result of the season so far with one round to go.
The young American racer has shown plenty of talent across junior series. Having won the FIA OK Junior European Karting Championship back in 2020, the New York native was inducted into the McLaren Driver Development Programme.
He stepped up to single-seaters in 2022, joining British F4 for Rodin Carlin (now Rodin Motorsport). He took pole on the day when he turned 15, eligible to race in Formula 4.
Although he would only finish third at Donington Park on the day, the youngster took two victories at Brands Hatch and Knockhill, ensuring a third position finish in the standings.
Ugochukwu then raced in the F4 UAE Championship as well as Italian F4 for PREMA Racing. He took five wins on his way to third in the standings in the former. The American battled it out for the ultimate crown with Polish racer Kacper Sztuka, ultimately losing out in the final round.
He would win the first edition of Euro 4 championship, though, beating out current PREMA teammate Wharton by 24 points after three rounds of racing.
“I’m really happy to announce that I will be racing with PREMA in the 2025 FIA Formula 3 Championship,” the 17-year-old said, on his announcement.
“Working with all the people here is special, the chemistry is excellent and it makes the work really enjoyable on and off the track. We have had two positive seasons together and I’m looking forward to building on that and I’m sure we will have a good year.”
PREMA Racing Team Principal Rene Rosin added: “We enjoyed working with Ugo in the last two years from Formula 4 to Formula Regional, and we think he has great potential. We are convinced that he will be a great fit for FIA Formula 3 next year in terms of approach and driving style.
"We will soon start preparations and we look forward to helping him make a smooth and successful transition to the new series.”
It's no secret how the world will be eagerly watching Ugochukwu write his next chapter in a long and successful journey for the Italian feeder series giants.
F1 ACADEMY - Chloe Chambers to join forces with Red Bull Ford
Becoming the first confirmed driver for 2025, Chloe Chambers will swap Haas for Red Bull Ford in the upcoming season.
Currently, the 20-year-old American sits fourth in the standings — with a maiden win and two additional podiums already under her belt, Chambers has set herself in good stead for the final two F1 Academy weekends of the year.
Though, Chambers won’t have to wait until next season to sport the iconic Red Bull Ford livery — she will get her first taste of blue as soon as this weekend, where she will compete in the final round of the IMSA Mustang Challenge at the SRO Indianapolis 8 Hour.
Speaking out on the news, Chambers said: “I am thrilled to be driving for the Red Bull Ford Academy Programme for the upcoming 2025 season. As an American driver, it is an honour to team up with an iconic American automotive company like Ford.”
“I am excited to take part in the Ford Mustang Challenge this week and to have more opportunities to race outside of my role in F1 ACADEMY,” she explained. “My focus for the rest of the year remains on delivering performance with Haas, but I’m looking forward to the next chapter in 2025 with the Red Bull Ford Academy Programme.”
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