Câmara aiming for more in Budapest after ‘best race’ in F2 at Spa

Rafael Câmara returns to the scene of his 2025 FIA Formula 3 title triumph this weekend, as he prepares to race in Budapest.

The Invicta Racing driver sealed his title at the Hungaroring last year, winning a mixed conditions Feature Race from pole.

One year on and Câmara remembers the weekend fondly, but with his targets now set on fighting for the Formula 2 title, his focus is set on continuing his good form, especially after winning the Spa-Francorchamps Feature Race.

“For sure it brings back good memories,” said Câmara on returning to Budapest. “It was a very good weekend last year, very intense as well, but we managed to execute it very well.

“But I also have good memories from Spa last week. It was a very strong weekend. I'm just looking forward to starting the weekend at a track that has been strong for the team in the past year. I'm just very positive and looking forward to starting.”

The history books will read that the Invicta driver converted pole position into victory last weekend, but that does not quite tell the full story.

Câmara had to negotiate a Red Flag stoppage and then make his way through the field, while also watching his mirrors with his rivals looking to overtake.

Having dealt with all that was thrown at him, the 21-year-old comes to Budapest after what he described as his best weekend of the season.

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“I think it was my best race of the year,” he said. “Obviously we were very strong on pace, but also after the Red Flag in a way allowed us to refocus.

“Things were going very well before, so in a way after the Red Flag you need to keep that. You feel like maybe things are not going our way because before the Red Flag it was looking very good.

“We got to P12, we had all the traffic after, so it was good that we kept focused. We kept everything there and was very well executed after. For sure it was a very nice race.

“There were a lot of things going on and we still managed to deal with every scenario that happened in the race, we managed to do it very well. I think it was a very good race.”

A few hours after Câmara won the Feature Race in Budapest last year, Invicta did the same with Leonardo Fornaroli in Formula 2 – even achieving a 1-2 finish with Roman Stanek in P2.

Last season, it was a front row lockout for the team, and with the Brazilian having already achieved four pole positions this season, confidence is high about their chances this weekend.

“It’s a positive that we both have good memories and we're looking strong,” he said. “But at the end of the day, it doesn't change anything.

“You want to focus on yourself, focus on the job and make sure we are maximising as a team. I think, especially this track, in the race it's quite tricky to do overtakes.

“So you want to make sure that you're doing a clean quali, and to always be in the top 10 is ideal, because then you can still be in the reverse grid. But just make sure we're having a good quali and then from there we try to maximise what we can.”

Câmara cannot win the title this weekend but he can take steps towards ensuring he does come the season's end.

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The Brazilian sits third in the Standings – 36 points behind leader Nikola Tsolov with Gabriele Minì in second place just nine points ahead and going into Round 9 he says it’s nice to be in the mix.

“It's still a very long championship, so a lot of things can happen,” he added. “It's good to be there in the fight, but at the same time you just need to focus on your side.

“But for sure it's always nice to be there fighting and gaining points on them. But on my side, just make sure that I'm doing the best I can and maximise the weekend.”