Like his 2024 Formula Regional European Championship (FRECA) campaign, Rafael Câmara’s 2025 FIA Formula 3 campaign is off to a strong start with the Brazilian driver topping the timesheets during the Friday F3 Qualifying in Melbourne, hours after a P1 finish in Practice.
Though pleased with the start of his 2025 F3 rookie campaign, Câmara intends to remain focused and to keep working hard, knowing that he will need similarly strong performances in the upcoming races and throughout the season if he is to contend for the championship title.
“Yeah, I couldn’t ask for more. I think it was a really good start for the championship. Obviously, still a long way to go.”
“Always nice to be in P1, but still two races to go, Saturday and Sunday. And obviously, just the first race of the championship.”
“So, we keep focused, head down, keep pushing and working hard.”
Câmara happy but surprised by Qualifying performance
During the FIA Formula 3 post-Qualifying press conference, Câmara told the assembled media, including Pit Debrief, that while he was happy with his performance, the result had surprised him, given his unfamiliarity with the series and especially, with the car.
“I think for me, it was unexpected, especially with the new car. So you never know where you’re going to be until Qualifying. You never know what the other teams are doing.”
“Very happy [with] how we started but still a long way, so still a lot of [the] job to do and we keep working hard,” he added.
Câmara excited for races after “smooth” Qualifying Session
The Brazilian driver also discussed his approach to Qualifying, particularly his attempt at an early lap in the middle of the session. Câmara described the decision as part of Trident’s program—one which paid off given the disrupted end to the session which cost the drivers, including Câmara the chance to do a proper final lap.
“To be honest, we followed our programme, what we have discussed before. And then, only for the last run, we went a bit earlier, and we were doing ours as outpush, because we didn’t have enough time, because of the red flag.”
These disruptions, however, did not significantly affect Câmara’s concentration at the tail end of the session. Instead, as he reiterated that, having planned to execute a Qualifying programme similar to what he ultimately used, he was “pretty calm” despite the frantic end.
“I think it was something that I was planning already from before, expecting the red flags as quite often, we have been seeing red flags in qualifying in Formula 3. So I think it was pretty calm.”
“I know that I just needed to deliver the lap” — Câmara on maintaining focus during Qualifying
He added that he had prioritised delivering a suitable lap, as once he had put a good time on the board, he was able to take additional risks.
“I knew that I just needed to deliver the lap. Once you have one good lap time there, you can risk a bit more. So I think even if we didn’t have less red flags, we got some more pace to show.”
Apart from the late disruption, however, Câmara believes that his F3 Qualifying session in Melbourne was an overall “smooth” one, though he noted some trouble with traffic on his first lap.
“But out of that, it was pretty smooth qualifying. The first push had some traffic in the left sector, but apart from that, it was pretty smooth.”
When asked if he was excited for the rest of the weekend, given his strong Friday performance, Câmara replied, “Very excited for tomorrow.”
While Câmara expects a somewhat challenging Sprint Race on Saturday, given his start from P12, he aims to remain consistent and calm, understanding that an overly aggressive approach could lead to a crash which could take him out of contention for points. He identified this outcome as less desirable than losing out on a potential win.
“Starting from P12 will be not an easy race. And I think it’s where you start to disappoint. You just need to be consistent, calm, don’t be too aggressive, because it’s a long way, so you just want to score points for all the races, and be there.”
“It’s always nice to win, but sometimes it’s better to finish a bit behind and crash. But at the moment, I’ll just keep it clean, and focus on this long championship.”
Câmara ready for potentially tricky conditions at Albert Park Circuit
After strong performances throughout the first day of the 2025 Melbourne F3 round, Câmara feels comfortable around the Albert Park Circuit. He explained that he had enjoyed the tight nature of the track, and exphasised the good control that he had been able to maintain during the Practice and Qualifying Sessions.
“Yeah, I mean, since yesterday from the shakedown, it felt very nice. The feeling of being quite close to the walls is quite nice, especially when you do a good lap. I just felt comfortable from FP, and also in qualifying, just more relaxed. Everything went pretty smoothly.”
“Also, the car was good straight from FP, just to show the good work we have done with the team in the past.”
Câmara ready to race regardless of track conditions
Though comfortable behind the wheel of his F3 car, Câmara is aware that track evolution may play a significant role in determining the outcome of his Melbourne weekend. In response to a question from Pit Debrief, Câmara stated that while track conditions has remained similar throughout Friday’s Practice and Qualifying sessions, he expected hotter conditions during Saturday’s Sprint Race. This, he acknowledged, could post a challenge as Trident had limited data on how their tyres would hold up under such conditions.
“We were expecting a bit more, I think, track evolution for [Qualifying], but in the end, it was very similar, the track. In terms of balance as well, it was not a big difference. And this was a good point, because we were able to just focus on driving.”
“Tomorrow, I think will be quite hot, so we’ll see for the races, for the race tomorrow, because we never did a long run with this compound, so it will be tricky.”
Wth rain forecast for Sunday, and a potentially wet Melbourne F3 Sprint race in the cards, Câmara is a aware of the potential for a challenging race. However, he believes that he is prepared to overcome any difficulties brought on by the weather, having gained some wet-weather experience during the Barcelona pre-season tests.
“And then on Sunday, it probably will rain, looking at the forecast, but I think we managed to do one day in the wet in Barcelona, so I think we know already what to do.”
He declared, “So whatever is the condition, I think we are ready.”
Gabriel Bortoleto
Having now stepped up to F3, Câmara joins the ranks of talented young Brazilians aiming to prove himself on the global stage. Brazilian drivers have enjoyed much success in F3 over the recent years, most recently with Gabriel Bortoleto taking the 2023 FIA Formula 3 and 2024 FIA Formula 2 championships in his rookie year. Bortoleto has since earned himself a promotion to Formula 1, where he joins Nico Hülkenberg at Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber.
While speaking to the media, Câmara acknowledged Brazil’s recent resurgence on the global motorsport scene, and especially Bortoleto’s excellent work over the recent season. Câmara admitted that he hopes to join their ranks, and plans to work hard to achieve this objective.
“It’s always difficult. It’s a very high-level championship. Obviously, Gabriel did a very good job and I will try to work with myself, work hard with the team. They have been doing an amazing job.”
Having enjoyed productive post-season and pre-season tests ahead of the 2025 FIA Formula 3 championship, Câmara believes that his team can fight for the championship, though he acknowledges that it will not be easy.
“We have been doing an amazing job, I think, during this pre-season and the post-season test last year. Of course, it was not the new car, but I think in the winter we did a very good job, me, Noah and Charlie with Trident. I think we can fight for this, fight for the championship. Of course, it’s never easy, so I will try to do my best and see where we’re going to end up.“
Câmara aiming to forge own path to Formula 1
As he focuses on growing his own career in motorsport, Câmara can look to his friend, Bortoleto, as an example and inspiration. However, while he intends to do so, Câmara insists that he will focus on forging his own part toward Formula 1, where he hopes to one day race against his countryman.
“I think it was very nice to see Gabriel winning F3 and F2. We have been very close for a long time in karting, had a lot of fun with him. I think since Brazil we have been driving together and to see where he is is very nice. I feel very happy for him and I will try to keep doing my own job, my own way and hope one day we can have fun in Formula 1.”
