Rafael Chaves Câmara (born 5 May 2005) is a Brazilian racing driver who is currently set to drive for Trident during the 2025 FIA Formula 3 Championship.[1]

Rafael Câmara
Câmara in 2022
Born (2005-05-05) 5 May 2005 (age 19)
Recife, Brazil
Formula Regional European Championship career
Debut season2023
Current teamPrema Racing
Car number5
Starts40 (40 entries)
Wins9
Podiums17
Poles10
Fastest laps8
Best finish1st in 2024
Previous series
20232024
2022
2022
2022
FR Middle East Championship
Italian F4 Championship
ADAC Formula 4
Formula 4 UAE Championship
Championship titles
2024Formula Regional European Championship

Câmara is the 2024 Formula Regional European champion and the 2022 Formula 4 UAE runner-up, driving in both for Prema Racing. He is a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy.[2]

Career

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Karting

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Câmara began karting in 2011, where he competed in the Pernambuco’s State Championship. He would soon move into international competitions, after winning titles in all national and regional championships that he participated, garnering particular success in 2019 by finishing second in the Karting World Championship, driving in the OK Junior class for Forza Racing.[3] Having finished fifth in the European Championship during his first year of senior karting, Câmara would close his karting career in 2021 by winning a number of series, such as the WSK Champions Cup and WSK Super Master Series, as well as taking vice-champion status in the European Championship.[4][5][6]

Lower formulae

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In 2022, Câmara made his single-seater debut, competing in the F4 UAE Championship with Prema Racing.[7] Having missed the opening round due to contracting COVID-19, Câmara scored his first podium at round two in Dubai,[8] before achieving his first pair of car racing victories at the same venue the following weekend.[9] The penultimate event of the campaign brought even more success, as the Brazilian won three of the four races, putting himself in title contention before the season finale.[10] Despite winning Race 1 at Yas Marina, a retirement in the third race owing to a collision clinched the title for teammate Charlie Wurz, with Câmara ending up second in the standings.[11]

 
Câmara driving in the 2022 ADAC Formula 4 Championship at Spa-Francorchamps.

His main campaign would lie in Europe, where he would be driving in the Italian F4 and ADAC F4 series, partnering Wurz, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Conrad Laursen and fellow FDA member James Wharton at Prema.[12][13][14] The season in the German championship started out strongly, as two-second places and a victory in Race 3 at Spa-Francorchamps gave Câmara the championship lead.[15][16] Victory eluded him in the next two rounds, although the Brazilian was able to cement his place as the closest challenger to title favourite Antonelli, with a pair of podiums at Hockenheim and Zandvoort respectively.[17][18][19] His championship challenge was thwarted before the next round at the Nürburgring however, as another contraction of COVID-19 forced Câmara to miss the event. He finished off his campaign with two pole positions and podiums at the second Nürburgring round, which earned Câmara the rookie title and third overall in the standings.[20][21]

 
Câmara racing in the 2022 Italian F4 Championship at the Red Bull Ring.

In Italy, Câmara experienced a competitive beginning to his campaign, inheriting victory at the season opener in Imola when race leader Antonelli experienced a gearbox failure in the closing laps.[22] Another victory followed at Misano, where the Brazilian proved his opportunism by overtaking his Italian teammate at the safety car restart,[23] which was then followed by another impressive weekend at Spa, where, having stalled from pole position in Race 3, Câmara recovered to third by the checkered flag.[24] More podiums came at Vallelunga and the Red Bull Ring, before Câmara experienced his first and only podium-lacking event of the year at Monza. He finished his season third in the championship, falling behind Alex Dunne at the final round after a collision with the Irishman at the first corner.[25]

Formula Regional

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2023

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Câmara racing in the 2023 Formula Regional European Championship at the Red Bull Ring.

During pre-season Câmara did full season in the 2023 Formula Regional Middle East Championship with Mumbai Falcons.[26] Despite not winning a race, Câmara harnessed six podiums that took him to third in the standings.

Having tested with the team at the end of 2022, Câmara would progress to the Formula Regional European Championship with Prema Racing the following year, driving alongside Antonelli and category veteran Lorenzo Fluxá.[27]

2024

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Câmara driving in the 2024 Formula Regional European Championship at the Hungaroring

Câmara remained with Prema Racing for the 2024 FRECA season.[28] He won the Title in Barcelona with 1 round remaining. Additionally, Câmara competed in the 2024 FRME season while remaining with Mumbai Falcons.[29] He finished 3rd in the championship, and won two races.

FIA Formula 3

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Câmara would be promoted to Formula 3 for 2025 with Trident, alongside Charlie Wurz and FRECA rival Noah Strømsted.[1]

Formula One

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Câmara joined the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2022 alongside Oliver Bearman after competing in the FDA World Scouting Finals.[30][31]

Karting record

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Karting career summary

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Season Series Team Position
2014 Florida Winter Tour – Rotax Micro Max 14th
Copa Brasil de Kart – Cadete 15th
2015 Florida Winter Tour – Rotax Micro Max 7th
2016 WSK Super Master Series — 60 Mini Energy Corse 47th
Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals — Mini Max 14th
2017 WSK Champions Cup — 60 Mini Birel ART Racing NC
WSK Super Master Series — 60 Mini 5th
WSK Final Cup — OKJ Kosmic Racing Departement 32nd
Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals — Rotax Junior NC
2018 WSK Champions Cup — OKJ Kosmic Racing Departement 33rd
South Garda Winter Cup – OKJ 34th
WSK Super Master Series — OKJ 37th
WSK Open Cup – OKJ 4th
CIK-FIA European Championship — OKJ 15th
CIK-FIA World Championship — OKJ 42nd
WSK Final Cup — OKJ Birel ART Racing 11th
2019 WSK Champions Cup — OKJ Birel ART Racing NC
South Garda Winter Cup – OKJ 83rd
WSK Super Master Series — OKJ 10th
WSK Euro Series — OKJ Baby Race Driver Academy 16th
Coupe de France – OKJ 19th
CIK-FIA European Championship — OKJ Birel ART Racing 24th
CIK-FIA World Championship — OKJ Forza Racing 2nd
WSK Open Cup – OK 53rd
WSK Final Cup — OK 14th
2020 WSK Champions Cup — OK Forza Racing 11th
South Garda Winter Cup – OK 15th
WSK Super Master Series — OK 8th
CIK-FIA European Championship — OK 5th
WSK Euro Series — OK 8th
Champions of the Future – OK 3rd
CIK-FIA World Championship — OK 25th
2021 WSK Champions Cup — OK KR Motorsport Srl 1st
WSK Euro Series — OK 18th
WSK Super Master Series — OK 1st
CIK-FIA European Championship — OK 2nd
Champions of the Future – OK 1st
CIK-FIA World Championship — OK 35th
Sources:[32][33]

Complete CIK-FIA Karting European Championship results

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(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Team Class 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 DC Points
2018 Kosmic Racing Departement OKJ SAR
QH
24
SAR
R
23
PFI
QH
7
PFI
R
5
AMP
QH
13
AMP
R
17
LEM
QH
15
LEM
R
15
14th 16
2019 Birel ART Racing OKJ ANG
QH
33
ANG
R
15
GEN
QH
15
GEN
R
15
KRI
QH
11
KRI
R
30
LEM
QH
9
LEM
R
10
24th 10
2020 Forza Racing OK ZUE
QH
34
ZUE
R
(10)
SAR
QH
15
SAR
R
5
WAC
QH
3
WAC
R
2
5th 39
2021 KR Motorsport OK GEN
QH
2
GEN
R
1
AUB
QH
3
AUB
R
2
SAR
QH
(8)
SAR
R
29
ZUE
QH
6
ZUE
R
4
2nd 80

Racing record

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Racing career summary

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Season Series Team Races Wins Poles F/Laps Podiums Points Position
2022 Formula 4 UAE Championship Prema Racing 16 6 4 5 8 210 2nd
Italian F4 Championship 20 2 4 3 10 239 3rd
ADAC Formula 4 Championship 12 1 2 2 9 193 3rd
2023 Formula Regional Middle East Championship Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited 15 0 0 0 6 131 3rd
Formula Regional European Championship Prema Racing 20 2 3 1 5 173 5th
2024 Formula Regional Middle East Championship Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited 15 2 1 2 2 128 3rd
Formula Regional European Championship Prema Racing 20 7 7 7 12 309 1st
2025 FIA Formula 3 Championship Trident

* Season still in progress.

Complete Formula 4 UAE Championship results

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(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Pos Points
2022 Prema Racing YMC1
1
YMC1
2
YMC1
3
YMC1
4
DUB1
1

17
DUB1
2

12
DUB1
3

9
DUB1
4

3
DUB2
1

1
DUB2
2

4
DUB2
3

1
DUB2
4

7
DUB3
1

1
DUB3
2

1
DUB3
3

9
DUB3
4

1
YMC2
1

1
YMC2
2

2
YMC2
3

Ret
YMC2
4

24
2nd 210

Complete ADAC Formula 4 Championship results

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(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Pos Points
2022 Prema Racing SPA
1

2
SPA
2

2
SPA
3

1
HOC
1

2
HOC
2

2
HOC
3

4
ZAN
1

2
ZAN
2

2
ZAN
3

5
NÜR1
1
NÜR1
2
NÜR1
3
LAU
1
LAU
2
LAU
3
NÜR2
1

2
NÜR2
2

10
NÜR2
3

3
3rd 193

Complete Italian F4 Championship results

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(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Pos Points
2022 Prema Racing IMO
1

1
IMO
2

8
IMO
3

2
MIS
1

2
MIS
2

4
MIS
3

1
SPA
1

2
SPA
2

4
SPA
3

3
VLL
1

2
VLL
2

Ret
VLL
3

2
RBR
1

17
RBR
2

2
RBR
3
RBR
4

13
MNZ
1

4
MNZ
2

10
MNZ
3

C
MUG
1

5
MUG
2

3
MUG
3

Ret
3rd 239

Complete Formula Regional Middle East Championship results

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(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Entrant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 DC Points
2023 Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited DUB1
1

5
DUB1
2

5
DUB1
3

4
KUW1
1

18†
KUW1
2

3
KUW1
3

Ret
KUW2
1

2
KUW2
2

Ret
KUW2
3

2
DUB2
1

2
DUB2
2

23
DUB2
3

16
ABU
1

3
ABU
2

11
ABU
3

3
3rd 131
2024 Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited YMC1
1

5
YMC1
2

Ret
YMC1
3

Ret
YMC2
1

4
YMC2
2

6
YMC2
3

13
DUB1
1

4
DUB1
2

5
DUB1
3

1
YMC3
1

9
YMC3
2

1
YMC3
3

6
DUB2
1

4
DUB2
2

13
DUB2
3

8
3rd 118

† – Driver did not finish the race but was classified, as he completed more than 90% of the race distance.

Complete Formula Regional European Championship results

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(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 DC Points
2023 Prema Racing IMO
1

3
IMO
2

Ret
CAT
1

11
CAT
2

6
HUN
1

7
HUN
2

10
SPA
1

1
SPA
2

5
MUG
1

6
MUG
2

2
LEC
1

8
LEC
2

12
RBR
1

1
RBR
2

Ret
MNZ
1

Ret
MNZ
2

2
ZAN
1

7
ZAN
2

Ret
HOC
1

4
HOC
2

4
5th 173
2024 Prema Racing HOC
1

1
HOC
2

2
SPA
1

1
SPA
2

1
ZAN
1

2
ZAN
2

1
HUN
1

3
HUN
2

6
MUG
1

5
MUG
2

5
LEC
1

1
LEC
2

6
IMO
1

1
IMO
2

9
RBR
1

11
RBR
2

16
CAT
1

3
CAT
2

4
MNZ
1

2
MNZ
2

1
1st 309

Complete FIA Formula 3 Championship results

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(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Entrant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 DC Points
2025 Trident BHR
SPR

BHR
FEA

MEL
SPR

MEL
FEA

IMO
SPR

IMO
FEA

MON
SPR

MON
FEA

CAT
SPR

CAT
FEA

RBR
SPR

RBR
FEA

SIL
SPR

SIL
FEA

SPA
SPR

SPA
FEA

HUN
SPR

HUN
FEA

MNZ
SPR

MNZ
FEA

TBD TBD

* Season still in progress.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Rafael Camara completes Trident's 2025 Formula 3 line-up". FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website. 8 October 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  2. ^ "Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy Driver - Rafael Camara". www.ferrari.com. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
  3. ^ "Rafael Câmara reaches for the stars in Finland". TKART – News, tips, tech about karting. 2019-09-13. Retrieved 2022-12-30.
  4. ^ "WSK CHAMPIONS CUP: DAS SIND DIE ERSTEN MEISTER DES JAHRES!". motorsport-xl.de. 21 February 2021.
  5. ^ "The 2021 Champions of the WSK Super Master Series - automobilsport.com". www.automobilsport.com. Archived from the original on June 18, 2021. Retrieved 2022-12-30.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  6. ^ 2021 European CHAMPIONS 🏆 (Kart Republic Official Report), retrieved 2022-12-30
  7. ^ "PREMA, Abu Dhabi Racing enter 2022 F4 UAE Season". Prema Powerteam. 17 January 2022. Archived from the original on 17 January 2022.
  8. ^ Parker, Charlie (2022-01-30). "4 takeaways from F4 UAE Round 2: James Wharton dominates & Tatuus shows great racing". Feeder Series. Retrieved 2022-12-30.
  9. ^ "Red flag rules, Aiden Neate leads: 5 takeaways from F4 UAE Round 3". Feeder Series. 2022-02-06. Retrieved 2022-12-30.
  10. ^ Parker, Charlie (2022-02-13). "Is the title Charlie Wurz's to lose? 4 takeaways from F4 UAE Round 4 at Dubai". Feeder Series. Retrieved 2022-12-30.
  11. ^ Parker, Charlie (2022-02-21). "Wurz holds off late Camara surge to win F4 UAE title: 4 takeaways from Round 5". Feeder Series. Retrieved 2022-12-30.
  12. ^ "RAFAEL CAMARA JOINS PREMA RACING FOR 2022 FORMULA 4 DEBUT". 22 December 2021.
  13. ^ "Ferrari Driver Academy underway for 2022". Ferrari. 11 January 2022. Archived from the original on 2022-01-11.
  14. ^ "Rafael Camara to race with Prema in Italian Formula 4 championship". www.ferrari.com. Retrieved 2022-05-02.
  15. ^ Studenkov, Alexander (2022-04-25). "Prema-Prema-Prema triple: 5 takeaways from ADAC F4 Round 1 at Spa". Feeder Series. Retrieved 2022-12-30.
  16. ^ "Rookie Camara claims his first win of the season in Spa | ADAC Formel 4". www.adac-motorsport.de. Retrieved 2022-12-30.
  17. ^ Studenkov, Alexander (2022-05-16). "Antonelli scores a historic triple: 4 takeaways from ADAC F4 at Hockenheim". Feeder Series. Retrieved 2022-12-30.
  18. ^ Studenkov, Alexander (2022-07-05). "A fantastic photo finish: 3 Takeaways from ADAC F4 at Zandvoort". Feeder Series. Retrieved 2022-12-30.
  19. ^ EB (2022-06-26). "Câmara fecha Zandvoort com mais um pódio e P5 no Alemão de F4". Autoracing | F1 | Indy | MotoGP | StockCar | NASCAR (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2022-12-30.
  20. ^ "Rafael Camara celebrates his first Pirelli Pole Position Award | ADAC Formel 4". www.adac-motorsport.de. Retrieved 2022-12-30.
  21. ^ "Taylor Barnard wins at the Nürburgring, Rafael Camara is Rookie champion | ADAC Formel 4". www.adac-motorsport.de. Retrieved 2022-12-30.
  22. ^ Studenkov, Alexander (2022-05-10). "The Alex Dunne Show: 4 takeaways from Italian F4 at Imola". Feeder Series. Retrieved 2022-12-30.
  23. ^ Studenkov, Alexander (2022-06-06). "Antonelli bounces back in dominant display: 4 takeaways from Italian F4 at Misano". Feeder Series. Retrieved 2022-12-30.
  24. ^ Studenkov, Alexander (2022-06-21). "Antonelli's masterclass and Câmara's comeback: 4 takeaways from Italian F4 at Spa". Feeder Series. Retrieved 2022-12-30.
  25. ^ "Formula4 Italian Championship – Certified by FIA WSK Promotion Official Site- PREMA Racing, Antonelli take Italian Formula 4 Driver Championship with triple Mugello win". www.f4championship.com. Retrieved 2022-12-30.
  26. ^ Wood, Ida (9 January 2023). "Prema reveals big name additions to FRMEC and F4 UAE line-ups". Formula Scout. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  27. ^ TopCarNews (2022-12-16). "Rafael Câmara subirá a FRECA con PREMA Racing – TopCarNews". topcarnews.net (in European Spanish). Retrieved 2022-12-30.
  28. ^ Wood, Ida (13 December 2023). "Rafael Camara commits to second FREC season with Prema". Formula Scout. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  29. ^ Wood, Ida (2024-01-08). "Prema reveals it and Mumbai Falcons' line-ups for FRME and F4 UAE". Formula Scout. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
  30. ^ "Oliver Bearman and Rafael Camara, new names for the Ferrari Academy | Kart News". www.vroomkart.com. 2021-11-08. Retrieved 2022-05-02.
  31. ^ "Oliver Bearman and Rafael Cȃmara join the Ferrari Driver Academy". www.ferrari.com. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
  32. ^ kartcom (2016-05-21). "Camara Rafael". Retrieved 2022-05-06.
  33. ^ "Rafael Camara | Racing career profile | Driver Database". www.driverdb.com. Retrieved 2022-05-06.
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