Rafael Camara Eyes F3 Championship Title as Series Heads to Hungary After Rain-Soaked Spa Weekend
The Formula 3 championship resumes in Hungary this weekend after a dramatic and rain-disrupted round in Belgium. Last Sunday’s Feature Race at the iconic Spa-Francorchamps circuit was abandoned due to dangerous weather conditions, cutting short what was expected to be one of the season’s most pivotal weekends. Heavy rain led to only two laps being completed under the Safety Car before officials called off the race entirely due to the lack of visibility and treacherous grip on the wet tarmac.
As a result, the only racing action fans witnessed during the Belgian round came from Saturday’s Sprint Race, where Ferrari Driver Academy member Rafael Camara continued his consistent form with a strong fifth-place finish. Camara, who started from 11th due to the reverse-grid format used in F3 Sprint Races, delivered a solid and composed drive to gain six positions and collect crucial championship points.
“I think I drove a good race,” Camara said after the Sprint. “The points I picked up are very important for the championship and, as for my pace, I’d say the work the team did really paid off.” His performance showcased the strategic and mechanical strength of his team, underlining why he remains the favorite for the 2025 title.
In stark contrast, his teammate Tuukka Taponen endured a challenging weekend. A poor qualifying session saw him line up 25th on the grid, which severely hampered his chances of scoring points. Taponen eventually fought his way up to 18th in the Sprint, but it was far from the result he or his team had hoped for.
“I am very disappointed because I couldn’t get the car into the top ten, which was easily within our grasp,” Taponen admitted. “We missed the critical moment on the last set of tyres, when the track was at its best and the cars had less fuel on board. I still believe we have the potential to do well, but we have to work out how to manage qualifying better.”
With the Spa weekend offering minimal racing action, attention now turns to the penultimate round of the season at the Hungaroring. Located just outside Budapest, the technical and twisty circuit presents a very different challenge from the high-speed nature of Spa. The Hungarian track often rewards driver precision and tire management, with overtaking proving notoriously difficult due to its narrow layout and lack of long straights.
Heading into this critical round, Rafael Camara continues to lead the drivers’ standings with 126 points, maintaining a solid 28-point advantage over his nearest rival, Nikola Tsolov. With just two rounds remaining in the 2025 F3 season, Camara has a real chance of clinching the championship title in Hungary. If he finishes the weekend with a 40-point margin over the second-placed driver, the title will be his even before the final round.
The weekend’s schedule at the Hungaroring is tightly packed and begins with Free Practice on Friday at 09:55 CET, offering drivers a 45-minute session to get a feel for the circuit. Qualifying follows later that day at 15:00 CET, setting the grid for both the Sprint and Feature Races. Saturday’s Sprint is scheduled for 10:05 CET, while the Feature Race – the main event of the weekend – will take place early on Sunday morning at 08:30 CET.
For Camara, Hungary could mark the culmination of a season filled with consistency, resilience, and tactical racing. His main rival Tsolov, along with a handful of other challengers, will be looking to prevent him from wrapping up the title early. As the pressure mounts and the margins tighten, the Hungaroring will play host to what could be a decisive and potentially historic weekend in the 2025 Formula 3 season.
While the weather in Hungary is forecasted to be more favorable than Spa, teams will still be cautious, especially after the chaos in Belgium. The key to success will likely lie in mastering qualifying and maximizing track position — an area that Camara has consistently excelled in throughout the season.
For Taponen, the Hungarian round presents an opportunity to bounce back from his Belgian disappointment. The Finnish driver will aim to secure a stronger qualifying result and capitalize on any opportunities in the Sprint or Feature Race to return to the points.
As the season nears its conclusion, every lap, every position, and every point becomes even more significant. Whether Hungary becomes the stage where Rafael Camara secures his title or where his rivals manage to delay his crowning moment, one thing is certain — the 2025 Formula 3 season is heading into a thrilling finale.
