Ahead of the Formula 3 British Grand Prix, Rafael Câmara delivered another strong qualifying performance. The championship leader secured P3 for Sunday’s Feature Race and P10 on the reverse-grid Sprint Race. His consistency continues, in what is only his rookie season in F3.
Following the brilliant qualifying session, Câmara spoke to several media outlets, including Pit Debrief, on his results.
The TRIDENT rookie, who has been on pole four times this season, was briefly on provisional pole before slipping to third in the final moments of the session.
“Yeah, I think it was a good one.”
“We maximised what we could have done in quali. Still in a good place for the championship, still plenty of points to have on the races. So I think from where we start for the races, we can go and do a good job this weekend.”
On Câmara’s final attempt at the session, he did not manage to set a faster time. The Brazilian emphasised that he had several handling issues in his car which hampered his performance run.
“The last run was quite tricky… We got a bit more understeer, so it was tough to drive. But yeah, like I said, I think it was a good job from us. Now we just look forward to the races, see what we can do, look in detail at how we can maximise the race and try to maximise both races.”
Taking lessons from Austria
Câmara enters the British GP weekend maintaining his championship lead by a short margin, despite a tough outing in Austria. Despite a difficult Saturday and late tyre degradation, Câmara was able to limit the damage. Narrowly keeping the lead following a post-race DSQ for Tsolov.
“Yeah, quali was a bit tricky there (In Austria)… And then on Saturday, I think from my side, it was not very good, the racecraft. So, coming back on Sunday was a good one, I think.”
However, his Sunday comeback came with late race issues for the Brazilian, who struggled immensely with tyre wear.
“Unfortunately, again, it was something that we looked after when the tyres, even when we were saving, just got destroyed by the brakes. It was far forward.”
Câmara remains adamant that he has learnt key lessons from the Red bull Ring, making him confident ahead of the British GP this weekend.
“But yeah, it was a tough weekend. I think we learned what the mistakes we made, and I’m quite confident for this weekend.”
The importance of Qualifying
As the record holder for pole positions in Formula 3, it’s no surprise that Câmara welcomed the edition of the Aramco Pole Position award for F2 and F3. The Brazilian believes it’s a great initiative to acknowledge the achievements of an often overlooked session in F2/3.
“Yeah, I mean, it’s always nice to have some trophies. It’s a good feeling to have the reward after quali. And after the hard work we put in. So yeah, good one and hope to get more soon.”
This award has not changed Câmara’s qualifying style. The Brazilian driver often takes a different approach to others on the grid, with his multiple flying lap attempts, but he’s found it’s what works best for him.
“Always the same approach for quali, as you have three sets, so one lap each, and just try to maximise every set, fine-tune a bit from the first one to the second one.”
“But yeah, my approach was everything the same, just try to do my best and see where we end up.”
Despite the season-long qualifying battle between himself and Nikola Tsolov, who together have shared all pole positions so far, Câmara insists he focuses solely on his own performance.
“I think we just focus on our job, just try to maximise what we can on track. And in the end, if both are there, I think both are doing a good job. So yeah, don’t really look at the other one during the qualis, just focus on our job.”
Track limits proving difficult again
For the second week running, Formula 3 drivers have been caught out on several occasions with track limits violations. Many drivers including Câmara got their fastest times deleted in practice and qualifying on Friday.
A Pit Debrief representative asked the rookie for his thoughts on the issue of track limits, as he had fallen victim to them early in the session. However, Câmara remained measured in his response, echoing the views of his fellow drivers and downplaying any potential impact on the races.
“In the race, we’re not really on the limit in high speed, so it shouldn’t be a topic, I think, for the races.”
Whilst Câmara may not be worried about track limits, something that has proved an issue for him has been tyre degradation. With changeable conditions noted for the weekend, Tyre degradation is expected to be an issue once more in Silverstone.
However, once again, Câmara remained hopeful on his and TRIDENT’s strategy ahead of the races.
“From practice, we don’t really learn a lot as we’re trying to maximise for quali. You go with your engineer, look at the past few years, what happened, look where you can save the most tyres and try to maximise this. Basically, the sprint race is our first long run at the weekend.”
Looking ahead at Silverstone
The infamous British weather is set to be a key factor this weekend, as rain is forecast over the coming days. The last time Formula 3 raced in wet conditions was during the Australian Grand Prix feature race. Câmara’s first win of the season.
When asked by a Pit Debrief representative how forecasted rain could impact the racing, particularly given Câmara starts in the midfield for the Sprint, the Brazilian remained confident in his preparation.
“Yeah, I think that doesn’t change much for us. Then I think, whatever the situation may be, we prepare ourselves and we try to do our best. For sure, it’s always been trickier.”
However, Câmara admitted that following cars in the rain would make for low visibility, adding yet another difficulty to an already unpredictable weekend.
“It’s difficult to see from behind. So yeah, this is a difficult point of the race. But apart from that, whatever the situation, I think we’re going to be ready.”
Despite the changeable weather conditions, Câmara remains excited ahead of his first-ever appearance at the legendary Silverstone Circuit.
“It was my first time here. So it was a nice track with a lot of high-speed corners. From FP, I was able to build up our pace and know what I need to do for quali. So I think I got used to it quite fast, and it was nice to drive here.”
