Rafael Câmara Preparing for 2026 Formula 2 Season

Reigning FIA Formula 3 Champion Rafael Câmara has confirmed his move to Invicta Racing for the 2026 Formula 2 season. The Brazilian driver, a member of the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy, is preparing for his F2 debut after a dominant 2025 campaign in which he secured five pole positions and four race victories on his way to the title.

Câmara described the opportunity to join Invicta as an exciting step forward, noting the team’s consistent competitiveness in Formula 2. Invicta has fought for both the drivers’ and teams’ championships in consecutive seasons, and Câmara’s goal for 2026 is clear: to challenge for another title.

“I’m joining a team that has fought for both championships two years in a row,” Câmara said. “They’ve shown they are a very strong team, so it’s up to me now. It’s never easy performing at the highest level, so I’ll be working hard during the off-season to make sure we start in good shape and ready to fight.”

Early Preparation and Simulator Work

Since announcing his move, Câmara has remained in Brazil, spending time with Ferrari during the São Paulo Grand Prix weekend and with family following a demanding season. Although he has yet to visit Invicta’s headquarters in the United Kingdom, he has already begun simulator work with the team to prepare for upcoming races.

The 20-year-old will attend the Formula 2 season finale in Abu Dhabi to observe Invicta’s operations and shadow the team throughout the weekend. He believes this experience will help him integrate quickly once pre-season testing begins.

“I haven’t visited the team yet because they are focused on preparations for Qatar and Abu Dhabi,” Câmara said. “I’ve done some simulator work with them, and I’ll be in Abu Dhabi to watch the team and meet everyone. Seeing how they work before we start testing will be useful because it helps build comfort and understanding.”

Following a Proven Path

Câmara is the latest Formula 3 Champion to move from Trident to Invicta, following in the footsteps of fellow Brazilians Gabriel Bortoleto and Leonardo Fornaroli, who both achieved success with the team after graduating from F3.

While their progress provides a strong example, Câmara said he intends to focus solely on his own performance rather than comparisons.

“It’s good to see that they’ve both had strong seasons with Invicta,” he said. “They adapted quickly and performed well. I’ll make sure I’m well prepared to achieve good results too. My focus is on what I can control. Formula 2 is more demanding physically, so I’m working harder in that area. The key is consistency, resilience, and not wasting energy on things outside my control.”

Looking Ahead to 2026

Before joining Invicta full-time, Câmara will continue simulator work and attend the post-season test in Abu Dhabi. He will then spend time at Ferrari’s Maranello base in December before returning to Brazil for the off-season.

“I’m in Brazil now, but I’ll return to Europe soon for simulator sessions and to join Invicta in Qatar,” Câmara said. “I’ll then attend testing in Abu Dhabi, visit Maranello for a few days, and go back to Brazil to end the year with my family.”

Câmara’s move to Invicta marks the next step in a career that continues to gather momentum as he prepares to take on Formula 2 in 2026.

From F1 news to tech, history to opinions, F1 Chronicle has a free Substack. To deliver the stories you want straight to your inbox, click here.

For more F1 news and videos, follow us on Microsoft Start.

New to Formula 1? Check out our Glossary of F1 Terms, and our Beginners Guide to Formula 1 to fast-track your F1 knowledge

Written by

James Rees

A passionate motorsport journalist from Wales, with over 30 years of love for the sport. A dedicated father of three, working as a content manager, covering the fast-paced world of Formula 1, Formula 2, Formula 3, Formula E, and IndyCar.

More articles by James Rees →