Rafael Câmara praised Invicta Racing’s execution after overcoming a difficult start and several interruptions to win the F2 Feature Race at the 2026 Belgian GP. The Brazilian started from pole position at Spa-Francorchamps but lost the lead to ART Grand Prix’s Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak at the opening corner. Câmara remained within striking distance throughout the opening stint before returning to the front as the pit-stop cycle unfolded.
A heavy crash for Laurens van Hoepen subsequently brought out the red flag and disrupted the strategies across the field. When the race resumed, Câmara had to clear drivers running alternative strategies before he could regain clean air and strengthen his position at the front. The Invicta driver managed each restart and interruption to secure his second Feature Race victory of the season. Inthraphuvasak finished second, while Campos Racing’s Nikola Tsolov completed an all-rookie podium in third.
Speaking during the press conference after the F2 Feature Race attended by Pit Debrief, Câmara discussed responding to his disappointment at Silverstone, managing the chaotic contest and maintaining his focus amid growing championship and Formula 1 speculation.
Câmara completes the job after Silverstone setback
Câmara had also taken pole position at the previous round in Silverstone but failed to convert it into a strong Feature Race result. At Spa, the Brazilian capitalised on his qualifying performance and credited Invicta for providing a competitive car throughout the weekend.
“It feels very good, especially after Silverstone, where we did pole position and didn’t manage to have a good race. But it was good. It was a very good weekend in general. I think we were able to execute all the things pretty well. So I think it was very nicely done for us. Also from the team, they did a very good job the whole weekend, the car was amazing. I think it was a good race today. A lot of things going on with the Red Flag, we stopped and got going again so you’re a bit unsure what’s going to happen. But in the end, very happy with what we managed to do today and just need to make sure we keep doing our job, focusing and getting stronger.”
Invicta executes its strategy effectively
Despite losing the lead at the start, Câmara remained composed during the opening phase of the F2 Feature Race at the 2026 Belgian GP. He felt particularly pleased with his pace on the option tyres and the out-lap after switching to the prime compound.
The Brazilian focused on the aspects of the race that he could control as Invicta worked to place him in a strong position through the pit-stop phase.
“I think we did a very good job in the first part with the Options and also the outlap with the Prime was quite good. So it was looking very good for us. I think we were in a good position. You just focus and maximise what you can control, and I think we did that very well. So happy with the job we did today.“
Câmara refuses to become distracted by the championship
The victory of the F2 Feature Race at the 2026 Belgian GP delivered another significant points haul for Câmara as the fight for the F2 title continued to develop.
While he acknowledged that he wants to remain in championship contention, the Invicta driver insisted that the situation would not alter his approach. Instead, he intends to concentrate on his own performances throughout the remaining rounds.
“I mean, of course, it’s always nice to be there fighting. But in the end, the approach is always very similar, you’re just really focusing on yourself. There’s a very long way to go. So I want to make sure we maximise what we can control and for sure I hope that in the end we can be there in fighting for this Championship.”
Historic Spa victory carries no additional pressure
Spa-Francorchamps has hosted victories for some of motorsport’s most successful drivers, including Câmara’s idol Ayrton Senna.
Although the Brazilian enjoys the circuit and has regularly performed well there, he did not attach any greater significance to winning at such a historic venue. His main satisfaction came from successfully completing the job after missing the opportunity at Silverstone.
“The thing is, it doesn’t really change much. A win is a win. But yeah, for sure it’s a track that I really enjoyed. Always been competitive here, so it was good to get the win today. After, like I said, after Silverstone, we couldn’t really close the weekend, and now we could be there fighting for the win. So it was good to manage things well today and be there with the win.“
Formula 1 speculation does not change Câmara’s approach
As Formula 1’s driver market begins to attract more attention, both Câmara and Tsolov have faced questions about potential opportunities beyond the current F2 season.
However, Câmara stressed that the speculation surrounding his future would not influence his priorities. He joined the championship to compete for victories and the title, and he intends to maintain that focus until the final round.
“Yeah, I mean, you can see what they’re speaking, but I think that doesn’t really change anything in what I’m thinking or what I’m trying to do. In the end, I’m in this championship to try to fight for that, to try to win, and it will always be the same until the end of the championship, whatever is happening ahead or in the future.“
Experience strengthens Câmara’s F2 Feature Race performances
Câmara has become increasingly competitive as his rookie F2 campaign has progressed, particularly during the longer and more strategically demanding Feature Races.
Rather than identifying one significant technical or mental breakthrough, he credited his improvement to experience and the gradual refinement of smaller details. Completing more long runs and races has also helped him develop a stronger understanding of the tyres.
“Yeah, I think in the end, what we’re doing and what we’re trying to do, it didn’t really change how we approach things. For sure, getting more used to things, the performance also of the Feature Race, especially. And for sure, I think more long runs or more races you do, you get a better feeling with the tyres. So I think just getting stronger every round. Also, the way we’re working, I think we’re always trying to improve the small things. And eventually, I think we can be more consistent as well. Yeah, I think we just keep focusing on what we’ve been doing since the beginning of the championship and trying to get stronger every round. “
Mutual respect defines rivalry with Tsolov
Câmara shared the podium of the F2 Feature Race at the 2026 Belgian GP with fellow rookie and title contender Tsolov, continuing a rivalry between two drivers who also competed against each other during the previous Formula 3 season.
The Brazilian praised Tsolov’s speed and consistency. He also highlighted the respect that has developed between them away from the circuit, despite their determination to beat one another on track.
“I don’t know really. I think we’ve been both very consistent. It looks like every race we can, we’re there. I mean, even speaking last year as well. And Nicola [Tsolov] has been always quick. So I don’t know what really impressed. But for sure, he’s a very good one. And it’s nice to be this year fighting for championships. I think it also creates a good respect for both. Obviously, on the track, you’re trying to maximize for yourself. But I think the respect outside of the track has been something that was a good surprise. Not surprise, but not impressed as well. But it was something that I appreciate.”
F2 success remains the priority
Câmara also dismissed suggestions that rumours surrounding his future could become a distraction during the championship run-in.
He believes that performing successfully in F2 provides the best route towards earning future opportunities. As a result, he sees little value in concentrating on what may happen beyond the current campaign.
“I think in the end it’s not very difficult. I think you just focus on F2, not much. On my side, I didn’t have any issue of thinking what will happen in the future. Just focusing on what I can do at the moment. Because if you’re not doing a good job in F2, most likely you’re not going where you want to. So just focusing on this year.“
Post-red-flag traffic presents the greatest challenge
Van Hoepen’s crash during the F2 Feature Race at the 2026 Belgian GP and the resulting red flag changed the complexion of the race. When the action resumed, several drivers on different strategies remained ahead of Câmara on the road.
The Invicta driver identified the period following the stoppage as the greatest challenge of his race. He needed to overtake the cars running on used tyres quickly to reach clean air and protect his chances of victory.
“Yeah, I think the main challenge was after the red flag. I think behind the train, with people with used tyres and struggling a bit with the pace, was just about to get in, to overtake them as fast as possible and get clean air. So I was a bit thinking of that before the start. But I think once we started and the car was feeling good, the moves also was always in the right place. So yeah, I think we managed to execute well, which I think was the key of the race. And yeah, I think this one was for sure not an easy race. I think it was looking very good after the pit stop. And then just to make sure that we did a good job after was a nice one. And yeah, good race in the end.“
Câmara stays composed through strategic uncertainty
The Safety Car periods, red flag and range of strategies forced the drivers to adapt repeatedly throughout the Feature Race.
Câmara concentrated on the elements within his control and took advantage of the opportunities presented to him. Although he admitted that his start could have been stronger, he felt that he and Invicta managed every subsequent situation effectively.
“Yeah, I think what I said before, in my side, just make sure that we were maximizing what we could control. Taking the opportunities. And I think in both cases, I think the only thing was the start that could be a bit better. Losing the first place in T1. But I think after that, we were able to manage all the situations quite well.“
All-rookie podium highlights strength of F3 graduates
Câmara, Inthraphuvasak and Tsolov produced an all-rookie podium at Spa, with all three drivers having stepped up from Formula 3 ahead of the 2026 season. Asked by Pit Debrief about the significance of the result, Câmara highlighted how quickly several members of the rookie class had become competitive in F2.
However, he also acknowledged that inexperience can lead to mistakes as drivers continue to learn about the championship and its demands.
“Yeah, I think, same as what Nikola [Tsolov] said, it’s nice to see everyone has been competitive level and going straight away, seeing that everyone that was jumping from F3 that’s a rookie was doing well. Especially you try to avoid, to don’t do as much mistake as you can, because you’re rookie, and things that happen, sometimes you just learn with experience. So yeah, I think it’s a nice thing to see.“
Cooler conditions complicate tyre preparation
The cooler temperatures at Spa created another challenge, particularly when the drivers attempted to bring their tyres into the correct operating window.
Câmara found the initial preparation difficult, but the laps completed before the red flag helped maintain temperature in the medium tyres during the F2 Feature Race at the 2026 Belgian GP. That allowed him to attack immediately when the race resumed.
“Yeah, pretty similar as well. Today being a bit cooler was a bit tricky to get tyres in the window. But once you were able to do that, especially in the way the grades and the formation lap, I think that was the most tricky one. But after the red flag, it wasn’t really a problem. We did some laps also in the medium, so the tyre was not as cold as before. And we felt like we were already in a good position after the restart. We felt like the tyres were in the window and we were able to push straight away.“
Spa success provides momentum ahead of Budapest
The championship will next travel to the Hungaroring, where Câmara secured the Formula 3 title during the 2025 season.
Câmara’s victory of the F2 Feature Race at the 2026 Belgian GP gives both him and Invicta confidence before returning to a circuit that holds positive memories. Nevertheless, Câmara expects the team to maintain the same approach rather than allowing its recent success to change its preparation.
“Yeah, I think it’s a good motivation for the team, for me. We looked very strong this weekend and arriving in Budapest with what we did today for sure is a positive thing. But at the end of the day, we just keep doing the same job and try to go for another weekend where we can try and just maximize what we can. And hopefully we can be there fighting for another pole and another win.“
