As F3 prepares for the final round of the demanding triple-header, championship leader Rafael Câmara is approaching the weekend with composure and focus.
The Ferrari Academy driver has had an amazing start to the season. Clinching two feature race wins and leading the championship in his rookie season. However, after a rather difficult Monaco Grand Prix weekend, he is eager to reset his focus and extend his championship lead.
Câmara remains calm following Monaco chaos
Speaking to the media, including Pit Debrief, ahead of the Spanish GP, Câmara was adamant that he would remain grounded ahead of the on-track action in Barcelona. Keeping the same approach to the weekend that he has had for the entire season.
“Yeah, I think for Barcelona, just keep the same approach, focus on the basics.”
The Ferrari academy driver also opened up on the particularly tough weekend of Monaco. Scoring only four points in Saturday’s sprint race, before an unlucky DNF ended his feature race prematurely. However, Câmara remains positive about his first trip to the Principality.
“Monaco is a lot to learn. Also, I feel like in Monaco it’s a bit less under control for yourself. So you’re more in the lucky side. But I think this weekend will be more normal in a way, like the other weekends. And I think we [TRIDENT] are quite prepared.”
Image Credit: TRIDENT Racing via Instagram
Consistency wins F3 championships
The Brazilian driver heads into the final round of the triple header only thirteen points ahead of his closest rival, Tim Tramnitz. However, for Câmara, his focus isn’t on rivalries; rather, he remains hyperfixated on performing consistently in the championship.
“Yeah, I think the deciding thing for the championship will always be more consistent. Obviously, we saw already that in qualifying it’s important to be there in the front, it makes your life much easier… Even if you are not fast in the race, you can still manage to get good points.”
After all, championships in this category have been decided based on the most consistent driver. Last year’s champion, Leonardo Fornaroli, did not win a single race in the championship.
Câmara is remaining focused on himself and his performances until the season’s end.
“In the end, you just focus on yourself. Do the job as we have been doing since the beginning of the season. Try to improve every race, and I think if we keep it this way, it will be a good battle, I think, for the championship.”
Back to Barcelona
Barcelona hosted pre-season testing, but Câmara was quick to point out how much has changed since then.
“Basically, we had only one day as the last day was either dry or wet,” he recalled. “Still in the beginning with the new car, so everyone was learning the car. Even the feeling comparing these last races and the test is quite different in driving and how you feel the balance.”
With hotter temperatures expected and teams now far more familiar with the machinery, Câmara believes he and TRIDENT are better equipped than they were earlier in the year.
“With the data and all the information we got from the last races, we know more or less where to start and how to be competitive.”
The importance of qualifying in F3
The first few rounds of F3 have demonstrated how critical it is to have a solid qualifying performance. With 30 cars on the grid, one wrong move in qualifying could see a driver starting amid the chaos in the midfield. The stakes are raised this weekend as many drivers are familiar with Circuit de Barcelona. Making qualifying a highly anticipated session.
However, TRIDENT’s Câmara remains focused on the session ahead.
“I mean, you know that it will be quite tight. At the end of the day, you just take the same approach as always. Focus on yourself and do the best job you can with the team.”
Whether he’s near the front or in recovery mode, the mindset is the same: score as many points as possible.
“You’re going to be in a good place, or you need to be working a bit more with your engineer and see where you can improve. But no, for me on my side, I think, as always, I’ll just focus on my job and try to do the best with what I have.”
Rookies luck for Câmara
In just his first year in the series, Câmara has managed to quickly adapt to the demands of Formula. The Brazilian attributed this to his and TRIDENT’s strong preparations over the winter.
“I think we did a pretty good prep. Also, in the winter test, we were able to test a lot of things and understand quite well, after the test, the direction to take with the car.”
The rookie’s ability to adapt to changing conditions and a new series has been critical in his road to success early in the series.
“I think I was quite strong in a way to adapt quickly, as we are so limited in F3. And I think this helps a lot for going to the qualifying and understanding where the limit is.”
However, despite the amazing start to the season, Câmara believes that he still has a lot to learn in the series.
“Still, everything about the weekend is a bit new for me. So I think also on my side, every race is just getting more used to and improving. So I’ll just keep going like that. Try to be consistent and see where I can finish in the championship.”
Eyes on the championship fight
As the title battle intensifies, Câmara is aware of the growing pressure on himself as the championship leader, However, he has not let it dictate his mindset for the remainder of the season.
“Yeah, I think for me, pretty much the same. Just focusing on our job, trying to maximise every weekend. Hopefully, we can decide to win the championship before Monza, because it’s not a good place to finish.”
When Pit Debrief followed up on the dynamic of the title fight and asked if Nikola Tsolov is now the man to beat, Câmara gave a measured response.
“Not really. I think we still have a long way to go, even if we are first two places, we still have a season. And so, yeah, I hope I continue like that. I hope I’m there in the front, but it’s still a long way. So I’ll just focus on my side.”
