Rafael Câmara sealed the 2025 FIA F3 Championship in impressive fashion during the post-race press conference at the 2025 Hungarian GP, where he clinched the title following the Feature Race. Speaking to assembled media, the Brazilian opened up about the key elements that shaped his successful campaign—highlighting his exceptional Qualifying form and the relentless support of his Trident team throughout the season.
Delivering under pressure in Qualifying
One of the standout statistics from Câmara’s 2025 campaign is his remarkable Qualifying record: five pole positions from nine sessions. Starting races from the front not only made his races easier but also played a significant role in securing consistent points, crucial in a closely contested championship.
Asked about his Qualifying strength during a press conference attended by Pit Debrief, Câmara offered insight into what sets F3 apart from other categories—and how he adapted quickly.
“The only thing that is a bit different in Formula 3 compared to the other categories is that you are very limited in lap time. Sometimes you are not even fully on the limit in Quali, especially in some races where we had a different compound from FP to Quali where you don’t even know where the grip is.”
Finding the limit faster than rivals
Câmara explained that one of his key advantages was understanding the car’s behaviour in changing conditions and being able to extract performance immediately. With limited practice running, drivers often face Qualifying sessions without a clear feel for the tyres or grip levels.
“But understanding where the limit is and being fast straight away is a strong point on my side, as every time on the first runs we already had good pace and when you start already with good pace, it is much easier to set up what the car needs to improve.”
This ability to deliver strong early laps gave Câmara and his engineers a head start. It made their weekend planning more efficient and ensured that they rarely played catch-up.
“I also feel as the driver, it’s just more simple for what you need to do each run, and I think that’s why Quali has been so strong.”
His consistency in one-lap performance ultimately gave him the foundation to fight at the front and manage races from a position of control—crucial in a field as tightly matched as F3.
A campaign built on resilience
In addition to his speed, Câmara, when responding to a question by Pit Debrief, pointed to the role of resilience—particularly during difficult weekends—as a defining part of his championship story. When asked what message he hoped fans would take from his season, he did not focus solely on personal performance, but rather on the strength of the collective effort from his team.
“Yeah, I mean, I think in Australia, we started already in a good way, very positive. And then I think something that we were, the resilience from the team. I mean, as we together as a team, we were very resilient as a big family.”
Sticking together through the tough weekends
According to Câmara, it was not the dominant wins or pole positions that defined the campaign—it was how the team reacted when things did not go to plan. That unity and mental strength enabled them to limit the damage on off-days and keep pushing for improvements.
“We always in the tough weekend, especially where I think where you make the difference. Obviously, when everything is going well, it’s easy to be there. But in the tough weekend, we always kept our head up and we always have been consistent through the championship.”
That mindset—refusing to let setbacks derail momentum—allowed Câmara and Trident to remain championship contenders throughout the year. He was quick to acknowledge their role in getting him over the line.
“And that’s what you need to win the Championship and we’re here now, so I’m very grateful for what they did for me, the team especially. And now they can enjoy this summer break.”
Looking ahead after the title
With the 2025 F3 title secured ahead of the final round in Monza, attention will inevitably turn to Câmara’s future. As a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy and now a proven F3 champion, he has made a strong case for progression to F2. Whatever comes next, the Hungarian weekend marked a career-defining moment—one that showcased both his pace and maturity.
For now, Câmara and his team can enjoy a well-earned break, knowing they have already made their mark on the 2025 season.
