Invicta Racing’s Rafael Câmara continued his impressive run of form in Qualifying, storming to his fifth pole position of the 2026 F2 season at Monza. The Ferrari-backed driver led an Invicta one-two, with teammate Joshua Dürksen finishing less than a tenth behind.
The rookie continued to dominate on Fridays, extending his tally as the driver with most pole positions so far this season. Speaking in the post-Qualifying press conference, where Pit Debrief was in attendance, Câmara reflected on his well-executed session, saying: “Yeah, happy, happy with that. Coming back from summer break, starting with the right foot.”
“I think it was a good lap, taking the first run. Second run was a bit more messy. So there was a bit of traffic in that lap. So I just aborted, but the first lap was good enough to be there, so very happy.”
“And also with P1 and P2 for the team, with Joshua [Dürksen] in P2, I think it was also a great result to come back. But obviously we know how is Monza. So just make sure that we can be clean for the races.”
As the day progressed, track temperatures climbed significantly. When asked about tyre management in the heat, Câmara explained that the high temperatures helped with the warm-up process, although they may have slightly reduced grip heading into the push laps.
“I think Monza, normally low-energy circuit. So when it’s hot, it’s even, I would say, making it a bit easier for us, so tyres warm up is better and you get the tyres ready for that first lap. So on that side, I would say it was not bad.”
“Probably you have less, maybe more tricky the tyres, but it was good. I think we didn’t have any problem. So yeah, it was nice.”
Well-managed Qualifying rewards Invicta with front-row lockout
“It’s always tricky, you know, because here in Monza, you always want to look for that tow.”, Câmara said when asked how crucial track position was in securing a tow.
“I think it’s difficult to get a pole position here without being in clean air. So for sure, it needed to be in a good position. We did that well, I think, the first run. Yeah, but you’re always looking.”
“You saw also the second run, everyone slowing down before Parabolica, trying to get the tow. But I think we managed well today and give us a good place to start for Sunday.”
Around the 5.793km circuit, which features several long straights, Câmara understood the importance of securing the right track position. By keeping his head down and executing another strong Qualifying session, the Brazilian was pleased with how the team managed the session.
“I mean, I could see the data of Joshua, but not of everyone. So I think we’re just in the end, you just try to make your best every corner. No, you just try to maximize what you can. Keeping the same approach, just trying to to keep it clean. And I think we did well today.”
“Also, I think the position was key, and we got a good tow as well. So, yeah, we know it’s important in Monza, and I think with all the areas that we need to feel. I think we did well and and it was a good quali.”
Câmara credits Invicta for his repeated Qualifying success
Qualifying has remained a standout strength for Câmara throughout his rookie season, continuing the form he demonstrated during his championship-winning Formula 3 campaign last year. The 21 year-old credited Invicta for playing a key role in his success, explaining that the team’s preparation and execution have been the reason behind their strong-performing Fridays.
“I think being in a very good team as well, it helps a lot. Always having a competitive kind, always being given the chance to be there fighting for pole positions.”, Câmara said. “And I think all the work we’ve been doing behind all, I think all the preparation we do, the way we prepare and how we always get on things to make sure that we’re in the right foot for quali.”
“I think we’re doing that very well. So I think it was good to get another pole. And I think we just need to keep keep going, doing the same job, focusing on ourselves, and hopefully we can fight for more for more pole positions.”
Should F2 introduce a split Qualifying format?
Unlike F3, which uses a split Qualifying format at Monza, F2 runs a regular single session. When asked whether F2 should adopt a similar format to limit drivers running unnecessarily slowly or playing tow games, Câmara echoed Dürksen’s view that the championship does not need to make any changes
“Yeah, really the same what Joshua said. I think in F2, there’s less cars vs F3. F3 has more cars as well. So it makes it more difficult. Probably will be easier if it was two groups in F2 because there’s a bit less cars.”
“But in the same way, we think it will be also that playing off getting the tow will be very similar. So for sure, it’s easier than F3.”
He added: “And I think today we saw that the second run is always a bit more tricky because everyone wants to get to the last lap and also less fuel for the second run. And you know that you can extract a bit more on that lap. So everyone is looking more for tow. But yeah, I think the way it is, it was good.”
“Monza has been always a track that I enjoy” says Câmara
Câmara returns to Monza with fond memories of his previous success at this circuit. When Pit Debrief asked both Invicta drivers how special it felt to return to a venue where they have enjoyed strong results and how confident they were in replicating that success this weekend, Câmara said: “I think Monza has been always a track that I enjoy to be.”
“I think also in qualifying, that’s more excitement of trying to always look for tow when you don’t know really how it will be. I think it makes things a bit more interesting in the weekend. And also the races is a bit more chaotic, and you can play a bit more on the race.”
Drawing confidence from his strong run of results before the summer break, Câmara arrived at Monza optimistic about their prospects. Invicta’s previous success at the circuit further boosted the Brazilian’s confidence as he looked forward to the weekend ahead.
“So I also think how we finished before summer break, we had a good momentum. So I was coming here quite confident that we were going to have a good chance.”
“Like Joshua said before, Invicta has been quite good here the past years, and we always had a strong kind of quali. So yeah, it’s a good place. I always enjoy it, and I’m just looking forward for the races.”
Câmara: “I think the whole year we’ve been always strong in Qualifying”
Having felt comfortable with the car from Free Practice, the team executed a clean Qualifying to secure a front-row lockout, which Câmara felt demonstrated its continued progress. Drawing on Invicta’s past success at Monza and his consistent Qualifying results, the Brazilian headed into the weekend with confidence.
“I think we’ve always been, I think the whole year we’ve been always strong in qualifying. So and also here in Monza, I think the team also have been very strong. So I think was coming here quite confident that we’re going to have a good chance.”
“And I think already from FP, we felt that we were in the right place, feeling good with the car and knew that it was just keeping clean for quali and make sure that it was doing a good lap.”
“So it was good that we did a P1, P2. We showed that we’re getting stronger and stronger as a team. And hopefully we can come in the races and keep the same results.”
Sets sight on maximising weekend at Monza
“I think the Sprint Race obviously is a bit more difficult, aside from P10. But I think overall, as a weekend, just trying to maximize both races.”, said Câmara when asked about his mindset and goals heading into the Sprint Race.
“And obviously there’s big points on Sunday where you want to, in a way, you want to get a better result on Sunday. But anyway, both both races just try to maximize and get good points for the championship.”
Discussing his approach to the final run in Qualifying, Câmara echoed similar sentiments to Rodin Motorsport’s Alex Dunne, saying: “Yeah, pretty similar. I think just getting a tow, being behind someone, I think a good slipstream and a clean lap. First run was good.”
“Second run maybe was not ideal, but it was good that we were able to manage well the first run and still get the pole position.”
Câmara weighs in on Invicta’s strengths in 2026
Câmara credited thorough preparation and a comfortable car setup for allowing him to focus solely on his driving once he hit the track. Working closely with Invicta ensured he entered each run knowing what to expect and could concentrate on executing his laps.
“I think I always try to prepare in the best way as I go on the track and I feel comfortable that you’re not experiencing something new. You always try to cover everything and make sure that when you go on track, you’re just thinking about what you’re doing and not expecting something new.”
“So, yeah, I think it’s just all more on the preparation, and also with the team, make sure that we’re in the right place with the car setup as well, in a place where I feel comfortable and I can just focus on my driving and do what I know how to do and be comfortable in doing that.”
Câmara felt Invicta’s consistency throughout the season has kept them firmly in the championship fight, but stressed that there are always areas to improve. He remains focused on maintaining that upward trajectory, consistently fighting at the front and keeping his weekends clean.
“So I think overall, we’ve been very good on that this year. And I think we just need to keep focusing in, always there’s something that you can prove, always you can improve some detail and just keep this trend that you keep stronger, get stronger, stronger during the season and always consistent there at the front. “
“I mean, to fight for a championship, you always need to be there, take it upon. So I think we’ve been doing that very well this year. So, yeah, just focus on that and keep it clean.”
Embracing home support from Brazil
The F1 weekend showcases some of Brazil’s brightest young talents, with Brazilian drivers competing across categories from F1 Academy to Formula 1, including Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto.
“Yeah, I think it’s quite big, the sport in Brazil, a lot of passion, a lot of fans watching and always very emotional giving the support. And, you know, I mean, you can see quite a lot on social. So it’s quite sometimes even funny as well.”, said the Ferrari-backed driver.”, said Câmara.
“But of course, it’s nice for me to see the sports. It makes you also want to make them proud as well and do a good job for them as well. So it’s always nice. I think every race weekend, I can find a Brazilian. So they are always everywhere. And it’s cool to see the sport.”
“And I think especially F3 and F2, when you go there and it’s more exposed, you see a lot of the people cheering and looking for you. So for me, it’s great to see that.”
Currently sitting third in the Drivers’ Standings with 145 points, Câmara trails championship leader Nikola Tsolov by 22 points, while Gabriele Minì sits second two points ahead. Starting both races from strong positions, the Brazilian will look to maximise his points haul and close the gap.
