Câmara aiming to maximise for the Championship after fight to P5 in Spa Sprint Race

Rafael Câmara was pleased with his work on Saturday, as he climbed up to secure a top five finish in the Sprint Race.

Starting out from P11 on the grid, the TRIDENT driver was robust and on the offensive for much of the Sprint, battling through the pack to secure fifth by the chequered flag.

Speaking afterwards, the Championship leader said he was pleased to have had a positive race on Saturday for what he feels is the first time this season.

“It was a clean one and I enjoyed it quite a lot. The car was good, and in the beginning, I managed the tyres to make sure I would be able to keep them alive in the end.

“Then I think we executed things quite well. Finally, a good Sprint Race and good Saturday for us! Silverstone was decent, but I don’t think we’ve had a really good Saturday.

“It’s good to have this and it gives us some confidence as well for tomorrow. Even if it’s raining tomorrow, in both scenarios, I think we’re prepared.”

Câmara had to factor in his Championship position during the Sprint Race as he fought with several of his closest challengers in the Standings.

Battles with Nikola Tsolov and Mari Boya in particular during the closing stages brought some wheel-to-wheel action and potential consequences, but the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy talent says he was calm throughout.

While he says the Championship is always a consideration, he felt confident in his pace to push to the maximum despite the potential to lose points if something went awry.

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“Of course you know who you’re fighting with, the guys know how to fight with each other and you’re always thinking a bit about that. But in the end, it’s the same and you just maximise whoever is in front of you or behind you.

“In the end, I just focused on the things that are under my control, what I can do in the best way, and it was good for the show.”

The Brazilian added that his pace along the straights in particular in combination with the powerful effect of a slipstream along the straights of Sectors 1 and 3 meant overtaking was very achievable throughout the Sprint.

“To be honest, I think we had good pace, and it was quite good to have the tow at the same time. We had some chances into Turn 5, and the tow is very powerful.

“Also on the exit of Turn 15 all the way along that straight and into the last chicane. But especially after Eau Rouge, when you have DRS. So we were always able to attack, and I never really had to defend myself, so it was a good race.”

Looking ahead to Sunday’s Feature Race where he will go from second on the grid, the TRIDENT driver says he would be happy enough with a strong points haul despite his last win coming back in Barcelona.

Câmara has a 28-point Championship lead over closest challenger Tsolov, a buffer he is eager to maintain heading into the penultimate round of the year in Budapest next weekend.

“It’s always nice to win, but it’s even better to win the Championship. I will be doing the best thing for the Championship in order to maximise things.

“We will take the race like today, of course we will try to go for the win, but I’ll be happy to score some good points for the Drivers’ Championship.”