In a history-making season, TRIDENT rookie Rafael Câmara has been crowned the 2025 Formula 3 Champion, clinching the title with one round to spare and breaking the record for most pole positions in a single F3 campaign.
The 19-year-old Brazilian has stunned many with his composure, consistency, and speed in what many have called one of the most competitive F3 fields. Despite the calm nature, the weight of this championship is not lost on the Ferrari Driver. Speaking after the Feature Race, Câmara emphasised his pride and gratitude for his victory.
“I’m very happy. All the hard work we did all season has paid off, so super happy.”
Wrapping up the championship before the Summer break is a weight lifted off his and TRIDENT’s shoulders. One which he believes calls for relaxation amongst the tight-knit group.
“It’s a time where we can finally relax a bit because all season, regardless of if you are losing or if you’re winning, you always keep working hard.”
“You always focus on the things that you can improve, you never really enjoy the moment, even if you’re winning or losing, you just try to keep the focus very high and never leave anything on the table. So, to finally relax is very good and also after you feel very tired because it has been a very long journey, and now, I can enjoy a bit with the team and with everyone.”
Rookie season brilliance
In just his first year of Formula 3, Câmara has clinched four wins and fastest laps. As well as five podiums and pole positions, the rookie managed to break the all-time F3 pole record early in his journey this season. However, despite this success, Câmara admitted that he surprised himself with his sheer pace and adaptability this year.
When asked if he expected to be here at the start of the season, the Ferrari Driver remained honest. Admitting that he hadn’t anticipated such a dominant rookie campaign.
“Obviously no. I mean, it was a big surprise. I think that after all the preparation we did, you obviously always want to win. You always go into a Championship thinking that you can win, thinking that you’re going to fight for what you can. But I was never expecting to start how we started in Australia.”
“… but I think, like I said, after Australia. I knew we were in a good place. And I just needed to keep myself always in a good spot with the team. With myself as well, I had to understand what I needed to do each weekend. Making sure I’m always consistent, as a rookie, I think it was a very good year.”
Câmara also acknowledged the importance of Fridays to his run of form this season. His ability to hit the ground running in qualifying quickly established him as a consistent threat in the field. Out of nine qualifying sessions, Câmara missed out on pole just four times.
“Understanding where the limit is and being fast straight away is a strong point on my side. Every time on the first runs we already had good pace, and when you start already with good pace, it is much easier to set up what the car needs to improve.”
Câmara on leading the championship from start to finish
A testament to Câmara’s season was that he led the championship from round 1 in Australia until the season drew to a close in Monza. This dominance from the Brazilian is very rare in such a competitive series as F3. Even with this, Câmara never felt comfortable enough to assume the title was his at any point this season.
“Everything can change so quickly, so you never relax. You know you are first, but as you see on the Standings, sometimes I was fighting with one driver, sometimes it was another driver, every time it was changing.”
“I always try to keep it clean, do a good job, don’t get involved in any crashes and be consistent. Even with that, sometimes we were further than P2, sometimes we were very close”
The close calls in question were following the Austrian Grand Prix earlier this season. Câmara struggled through the European triple-header, allowing rival Nikola Tsolov to close the gap to the Brazilian. In an unfortunate race for Câmara, Tsolov ended up claiming the championship lead at Red Bull’s home track. However, the luck immediately shifted in favour of Câmara as Tsolov was later disqualified, allowing the Brazilian to keep his championship lead.
“We had a bit of luck, for example, Austria unfortunately Nikola Tsolov got a disqualification, otherwise it would be much tighter. In Spa, we got a bit unlucky that we couldn’t race, as it was a race I could have scored many points.”
“It’s how it goes. A Championship is always very tricky, everything can change very quickly, you just have to make sure you are always in the right mindset.”
TRIDENT’s secret to F3 success
For the third year running, TRIDENT Racing have supplied Formula 3 with its World Champion. Câmara joins the likes of fellow countryman Gabriel Bortoleto and current Formula 2 Championship leader Leonardo Fornaroli.
According to the Ferrari driver, the team’s culture and careful preparation played a key role in his championship-winning campaign.
“All the preparation that we did. Probably it was the same with Gabri and Forna. The way we prepared for the season, how much work they put into this Championship, especially the engineers, they work almost every day. This makes us drivers calmer, more confident that we are in a good environment.”
Câmara credited TRIDENT with making the team feel like an extended family. Allowing not only himself but also his teammates to grow comfortable within the team. Ultimately resulting in stand-out weekends for TRIDENT as a whole.
“he team is pretty much like a family, everyone has been together for I think more than 10 years, everyone knows each other. My group, my team, that is my mechanics and my engineer, is the same as Gabi had. It was super nice to work with them.”
“I’m very thankful for everything they have done for me, my Team Manager Giacomo, my engineer Andrea, my mechanics, they were amazing this year, and I am very happy to be a part of this team.”
What’s next for Câmara
With the title in hand, Câmara will now head to the season finale at Monza with the pressure off. However, the Champion remains adamant that he will be focused come Monza, helping TRIDENT to secure the constructors’ championship.
Beyond this season of Formula 3, however, Camara has his sights firmly set on Formula 2 in 2026. Aiming to replicate the performance Bortoleto achieved, winning Formula 2 and 3 in successive seasons.
“… it’s good to win one round in advance because finally we can relax. After Monza, for sure, it will be Formula 2 next year. Then there will be a big break until the tests, I will just focus on myself to make sure that I am well prepared when I go to drive. Hopefully, I can have another strong season.”
