With day 2 of the F2 post-season testing completed, Rafael Câmara welcomed a strong result in the afternoon session at Yas Marina with Invicta Racing. After a strenuous 2025 campaign in F3, Câmara’s efforts were rewarded after the Brazilian finished P1, clinching the Formula 3 championship.
In a well-deserved upgrade, Câmara signed with Invicta Racing for the 2026 F2 season. The British team produced the 2025 F2 champion, Leonardo Fornaroli, as well as grabbing the Constructors’ title in back-to-back years. While the 20-year-old has some big shoes to fill, his show of skill in the Abu Dhabi testing session already underlined his potential.
Day 2 overview
On his second day of the F2 post-season testing, Rafael Câmara was satisfied with his overall progress. Going over Invicta’s approach throughout the two sessions, morning and afternoon, the Brazilian focused on the work he put into adapting to the team:
“Overall, it was a very positive day,” explained 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.”
Setting a fastest time in the afternoon session, 1:37.646, the 20-year-old had no negatives to share. Furthermore, Câmara went on with his reflection, considering the positive team results, with his new teammate Joshua Durksen slotted right behind him in second.
“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,” emphasised the Brazilian, clearly set on making an impression next season.
Adapting to Invicta
In their pursuit of fastest laps, both Invicta drivers set competitive times. However, their best laps around Yas Marina came at very different time intervals. When questioned about this, Câmara showcased Invicta’s strategy for the F2 post-season testing sessions:
“It’s a test, so the team is trying different things. 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.”
So far, the newly upgraded Brazilian seems to be setteling nicely into his new role as an Invicta Racing driver. Nevertheless, with Invicta’s stelar 2025 campaign, Câmara knows he is stepping into an even harder and more competitive category:
“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.”
Taking on a British team after Trident
Rafael Câmara earned his F3 championship as a Trident racing driver. Spending a whole season with the team provided him with valuable lessons. Yet, as he is getting ready to wrap up the F2 post-season testing with Invicta, Câmara shared his positive journey of switching teams:
“It’s my first time with a British team, and to be honest, it’s very nice. 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 [Durksen], 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, sharing information with each other so that we can arrive prepared as possible for Melbourne.”
