Brazilian
Overview
Rafael Câmara (born 5 May 2005 in Recife, Pernambuco) is a Brazilian racing driver and a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy. He won the FIA Formula 3 Championship in 2025 with Trident, doing so in his rookie season, and stepped up to FIA Formula 2 in 2026 with Invicta Racing. Backed by Ferrari since 2022, Câmara has built a reputation for qualifying speed, composure and consistency across the junior single-seater ladder.
Karting and early years
Câmara began competitive karting at the age of six. He enjoyed a strong international junior career, highlighted by finishing runner-up in the 2019 Karting World Championship's OK Junior class. He closed out his karting years in 2021 by winning the WSK Champions Cup and the WSK Super Master Series and finishing second in the European Championship, before moving into car racing.
Formula 4 and Ferrari Driver Academy
Câmara joined the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2022 after impressing at the FDA's World Scouting Finals. That same year he made his car-racing debut in Formula 4 with Prema Racing, taking rookie honours in the F4 UAE Championship (finishing second overall with multiple wins) and adding strong campaigns in the Italian and ADAC Formula 4 championships, where he finished third overall and again led the rookie standings.
Formula Regional
Câmara spent 2023 and 2024 in Formula Regional with Prema in Europe (FRECA) and Mumbai Falcons in the Middle East. After finishing fifth in the 2023 FRECA season with two wins, he returned in 2024 to dominate the Formula Regional European Championship, taking the title with a record-setting run of victories. He also placed third in both editions of the Formula Regional Middle East Championship.
FIA Formula 3 (2025)
Promoted to FIA Formula 3 with Trident for 2025, Câmara delivered a standout rookie campaign. He combined strong qualifying pace with multiple Feature Race victories and sealed the championship with a round to spare, clinching the title from pole in the Budapest Feature Race. He was named FIA Rookie of the Year. The result extended Trident's run of FIA Formula 3 champions, following Gabriel Bortoleto and Leonardo Fornaroli.
FIA Formula 2 (2026)
For 2026 Câmara graduated to FIA Formula 2 with Invicta Racing as a rookie, partnering Joshua Dürksen. He started the season as an immediate front-runner, scoring podiums in the opening rounds and taking a maiden Formula 2 Feature Race victory in Barcelona from pole. His early form established him among the championship contenders in his debut season at the category.