Rafael Câmara took third place in the 2026 F2 Hungarian GP Feature Race, claiming his fifth podium of the season and consolidating his position in the championship standings. Starting second behind pole sitter Kush Maini, Câmara ran a composed race behind the frontrunners before the overcut during the VSC put Noel León into the lead. Speaking in the post-race press conference attended by Pit Debrief, Câmara reflected on a productive afternoon.
Câmara on his race performance at the 2026 F2 Hungarian GP
Rafael Câmara was candid about the nature of his race, acknowledging it was largely a case of managing what was in front of him rather than fighting for the win. The Virtual Safety Car, triggered by Nikola Tsolov‘s collision with Sebastián Montoya in the closing laps of the Sprint Race, ultimately handed León the victory via a well timed pit stop.
“Yeah, I think my one was a bit boring. Yeah, just staying behind someone the whole race. Enjoyed the laps where I had to clean it up a bit,” Câmara stated.
“But yeah, just trying to maximise what I could. I think the out lap was a very strong one. And then obviously I think maybe without the VSC we could maybe pass Noel [León].”
“But yeah, it’s racing. It happens sometimes. But the good thing is that we had a good pace, a good car. And yeah, overall a positive weekend.”
Câmara on his championship trajectory heading into the summer break
Asked about his points position after a run of consistent scoring, Câmara acknowledged the gap to Tsolov had closed but stopped short of claiming momentum.
“Yeah, I think we had a few rounds that we always scored points. I think this is quite important for the championship. And I think it was a good way to finish this first part of the championship, this way,” he stated.
“Now it would be good to have a break. Have a look also what we can improve, what we can do better for the next one. But now, yeah, just go for holidays and recharge the batteries.”
Pressed further on whether he believes the momentum is with him heading into the second half of the 2026 F2 season, Câmara kept it grounded.
“I think we had good weekends. We’ve been there. I think these last two weekends was quite good for us. But at the end of the day, I think it doesn’t really change much. We just keep working how we’ve been doing the whole season. Always try to find something that we can improve for the next rounds,” he stated.
“It’s true that we closed the gap, but it’s still a very long way. We just need to make sure that we keep our head down, keep working, and try to close the gap and have a chance to fight at the end of the season.”
Câmara assesses his 2026 F2 season so far
When asked to rate his season, Câmara was positive about the direction of travel while acknowledging there are areas he could have handled better at the F2 Hungarian GP weekend and across the year as a whole.
“Yes, I don’t know exactly the number of my season, but I think it has been quite good. Obviously, there were some mistakes that I didn’t really need to take it, or should be quite easy to avoid. But apart from that, I think we’ve been always there, quite strong, and always in a positive trend,” he stated.
Despite the self-criticism, the underlying message was clear. Câmara feels the partnership with Invicta Racing is strengthening with every round.
“So, I think getting stronger and stronger in every round. I think with the team, always getting better with them. I think, yeah, we’re just understanding better each other, getting more used to work together, and yeah, I’m quite happy with what I did until now.“
“And now, just going back home, enjoy the holidays. Always there is a balance to enjoy and still working. So, get this good balance and come back with the battery recharged and ready for the last push of the last five races.”
Câmara on his F1 ambitions and starts
In response to a question about whether he needs to improve certain areas to realise his Formula 1 ambitions, Rafael Câmara pointed to his race starts as a recognised weakness and framed his season in terms of ongoing learning.
“Yeah, I think start has been not the best, my strongest point this year. I don’t know what really to say. Just keep… I mean, I’m doing my best. Every week, I’m just making sure that I can maximise what I can and trying the best for the team. And yeah, I think this is the really the goal of the season. Just keep learning, enjoying, and every time just getting stronger.”
Câmara on the intensity of the final laps at the Hungarian GP
In response to a question from Pit Debrief about how intense the three-way battle for the podium positions felt from inside the car, Câmara admitted there was not much action from his perspective, though he kept looking for opportunities throughout.
“Yeah, I mean, for me, it was a bit… Not much going on. I was just, yeah, trying to stay there, seeing if they were doing some mistakes. But, obviously, they were doing a good job. And, yeah, I think maybe without the VSC, maybe we could have a chance during the overcut. But, yeah, apart of that, I think there was not much to do.”
The overcut during the Virtual Safety Car had been Câmara’s best opportunity to challenge for the lead, but with León already clear by the time the pit stops played out, there was little left to do but manage the gap.
“I think the outlap was quite strong. And then, after that, we just tried to stay with Kush [Maini] in the DRS and try to close the gap to Noel [León]. And we did it.”
“But, yeah, I think it was just very difficult to follow, stay close and try something. Just, I think, T1, that you have really a good chance to try something. And it was always tricky to follow in the last sector. So, I think today we maximised it. Like I said, I think the start going in the dirty part was a bit more tricky. But, yeah, apart of that, I think everything was very good.”
Câmara on managing the alternate strategy runners at the 2026 F2 Hungarian GP
Asked how he managed lapping the alternate strategy runners at a circuit where overtaking is difficult, Câmara described a nerve-wracking moment when he emerged from his pit stop with several cars ahead of him on track.
“When you see the group in front, you think how it will be. Because it always can be a mess. But I think we managed well to get overtakes done. Like Kush [Maini] said, he had a moment in T13, so I was thinking maybe I had a chance. But I didn’t want to risk it too much going there inside. And maybe he didn’t see me.”
“So, yeah, after that, I was just trying to stay with him. Catch Noel [León] and try. Hopefully, I was hoping for Kush [Maini] to try something. But nothing really happened, and I was just staying there. Trying to get closer. But not today.”
Câmara leaves Budapest fifth in the F2 Hungarian GP standings with five podiums from nine rounds. With Tsolov’s lead narrowed and five rounds remaining from Monza onwards, the Brazilian heads into the summer break in a stronger position than many would have expected at the start of the season.
