Rafael Câmara, who took the 2025 FIA F3 Championship title in Budapest, continues to impress not only with his performances on track but also with his composure and clarity off it. After sealing the title at the 2025 Hungarian GP with one round to spare, the Brazilian racer sat down with media, including Pit Debrief, to reflect on one of the most defining elements of his journey this season: mental focus.
His response revealed a driver who is fully aware of the psychological challenges of top-level motorsport — and one who embraces that challenge head-on. The 20-year-old explained how the intensity of racing on F1 support weekends, the speed of the events, and the constant demands of competition require a mindset that evolves just as quickly as the machinery.
Staying focused through fast-moving weekends
Câmara openly acknowledged how easily drivers can lose focus across a race weekend — and how he continually works to strengthen his concentration in the face of relentless demands.
“Yeah, I think obviously I’m always trying to maximise on this side. It’s something that’s very tricky to go out of our control, especially in very… The weekend is very fast. So it’s very easy to lose a bit of focus. And sometimes you get lost during the weekend. And yeah, it’s something I think I’m always improving. I always… I still have a lot to improve, a lot to learn. I’m still very young.”
Câmara does not view focus as a fixed trait — he treats it like a skill to be refined through experience. With sessions packed tightly together, weather conditions constantly changing, and limited track time available, young drivers like him must operate under pressure from the moment they arrive at the circuit. Câmara continues to build the ability to remain mentally sharp and composed, no matter the situation.
Motivation through continuous improvement
Despite his 2025 F3 Championship success, Câmara does not consider the job done. Instead, he views his title as a sign of progress — one step in a larger journey. His motivation does not come only from the podiums or points, but from witnessing his own growth as a driver and individual.
“And I think this is something as well that keeps me motivated to see myself growing up and getting better every race weekend, every year. And yeah, I’ll just try to focus on this side as well, to keep going, improving. I think just every year I’ll improve.”
Câmara does not fixate on overnight success; he leans into long-term development. He identifies every weekend — regardless of the result — as an opportunity to learn. That growth mindset has carried him through a rookie season filled with pressure and has placed him firmly on the radar as a rising star within the Ferrari Driver Academy. This mindset also explains how he kept such a consistent level of performance across the year — claiming multiple wins and podiums, avoiding major errors, and demonstrating maturity that belied his experience.
Balancing intensity with gratitude
Even as he strives to push every limit, Câmara maintains a sense of gratitude for the career path he’s on. He does not allow the pressure to cloud his appreciation for the opportunity to race in an environment most drivers only dream of.
“And yeah, just enjoy as well the process, all the good moments. It’s a bit difficult to enjoy as we’re so much under pressure. But in the end, when you see it, we’re very lucky to be in this position.”
While the rigours of junior single-seaters rarely allow time for reflection, Câmara works to remind himself to value the journey. He understands that the constant demands of the championship can make drivers lose sight of the privilege they have. By deliberately focusing on the good moments — no matter how fleeting — he balances ambition with perspective. This approach appears to have helped him perform with consistency and avoid the burnout that can sometimes follow sustained pressure in such competitive environments.
The F1 paddock: A source of constant inspiration
As one of the key feeder series to F1, F3 competes on many of the same weekends as F1 itself. That proximity can create added tension — with more eyes watching and more at stake — but it also offers a powerful reminder of what lies ahead for the best of the grid. Câmara sees this closeness as a benefit rather than a burden.
“And yeah, it’s an amazing sport. We’re doing what we love. So we’re very lucky and special to be here. Yeah, especially even with F1 together, it’s something that we can see it closer. So it means that we know that we are more close to our goal. I think for every driver, it’s like this. When you see the drivers, the F1 on track, you start to feel that you’re a bit close and it keeps us very motivated to keep going.”
The visibility and shared environment offer constant motivation. They show him what is possible and remind him that, with continued effort, his name could be among those on the F1 entry list in the near future. He knows he has more to learn, more to achieve, and more pressure to face in the years ahead. But with the mindset he’s built — focused, grateful, and ambitious — he continues to move with purpose toward the ultimate goal: F1.
