Câmara enjoying life at ‘familiar’ Invicta environment after positive post-season tests

11 December 2025

Rafael Câmara hailed a positive Day 2 of post-season testing at the Yas Marina Circuit, the 2026 Invicta Racing driver setting the fastest time in the afternoon session.

After completing 73 laps in the morning, where the Brazilian and the team focused more on their long run performance, their attention returned to their Qualifying pace in the second part of the day.

Late in the session, Câmara completed a 1:37.646, the fastest time of the afternoon, finishing 0.096s ahead of his new teammate Joshua Duerksen in second.

Fresh from debriefing with the team, the 2025 Formula 3 Champion reflected on his day behind the wheel.

“Overall, it was a very positive day,” said Câmara. “Starting in the morning, doing some long runs, getting the first proper feelings in the long run, as yesterday we mainly focused on performance.

“So just getting more used to the car, understanding how to manage the F2 car, the tyres, the balance, getting the first feeling on this side with the team. I did some pitstops, starts, so everything, trying to make it all more natural.

The Brazilian ended up with the fastest time in the afternoon session

“Overall the morning was good, positive long runs, and then in the afternoon, I started on a long run and moving on to performance runs with the Prime and the Options.

“It was a positive day, I am just trying to keep learning as much as I can for the following tests and the season. The goal is to extract the most I can from the team, understanding things, getting more familiar with the car and being as comfortable as I can for Melbourne.”

There were differences in how Câmara and Duerksen set their fastest laps in the afternoon, with the latter doing so much earlier in the session than the rookie.

AS IT HAPPENED: Follow the action from Day 2 of post-season testing at Yas Marina

When asked whether that was part of the plan, the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy member said it was useful as Invicta try to get more of an understanding of things ahead of next season.

“It's a test, so the team is trying different things,” continued Câmara. “We are trying to get an understanding of what to do and where to go. It's difficult to compare in the test, but we are happy with what we are doing.

“Some different programmes for both of us, but it is good information for the future. Everything is going very smoothly, so we need to keep focus on understanding things and improving as much as we can the car.

Câmara says he is gelling well with Invicta as they prepare for the 2026 season

“I think everyone saw this year they were in good shape, but the more you learn and improve, the better. We know it's a very high-level category but anything you can do to help your performance you will do.”

Câmara says the plan for the final day of testing is to continue to do more laps, as he and the team continue to learn, but also as they get to know each other better.

So far, the 20-year-old is enjoying life with Invicta and also with his new teammate, as the two continue to work together to prepare for Round 1 in Melbourne.

“It’s my first time with a British team, and to be honest it's very nice,” said Câmara. “Everyone is very close because they have been together for a long time, so again the same kind of environment I had in TRIDENT, so I am quite familiar with that.

“They are nice people and I am enjoying working with them a lot. Also with Joshua, he has shown this year and the previous years that he is a strong driver, and a very nice person as well.

“So we are just working together to improve as much as we can and, in our way, and sharing information with each other so that we can arrive prepared as possible for Melbourne.”