Rafael Câmara made his Ferrari F1 debut in the SF‑25 during a private Hungaroring test, joined by fellow Ferrari junior Dino Beganovic. The outing gives the reigning F3 champion crucial acclimatisation to modern F1 machinery as he chases the 2026 Formula 2 title with Invicta Racing.
Rafael Câmara completes first Ferrari F1 test at Hungaroring
Rafael Câmara took his first laps in a Ferrari F1 car this week, piloting the SF‑25 around the Hungaroring in a private test. The outing represents a clear step in Câmara’s development after back‑to‑back junior titles and strengthens his profile as a serious F1 prospect.
The test details and the car
Câmara drove the SF‑25, Ferrari’s 2025 chassis and the final design of the current ground‑effect era. The SF‑25 delivered seven podiums for Charles Leclerc and a Sprint race win in China with Lewis Hamilton during its competitive season, making it a relevant tool for getting juniors accustomed to contemporary F1 dynamics.
Dino Beganovic also on track
Fellow Ferrari Driver Academy member Dino Beganovic also ran the SF‑25 at the Hungaroring. Beganovic described the experience as rewarding and said it felt good to be back in an F1 car after his previous outing in Abu Dhabi. The pair’s participation underscores Ferrari’s hands‑on approach to preparing talent for the top level.
Why this matters for Câmara’s progression
Driving an F1 car is more than a headline — it accelerates learning on aerodynamics, brake energy recovery, and tyre management under race‑pace demands. For Câmara, who won Formula Regional European and FIA Formula 3 in successive seasons, the test is practical preparation for the complex technical and physical demands he’ll face if he steps up to F1.
Performance and mindset: what Câmara gains
Câmara has credited the Ferrari Driver Academy with improving his weekend preparation, mental resilience and off‑track conditioning. This test provides a confidence boost and crucial seat time with advanced telemetry and systems, helping bridge the gap between F2 fight and potential F1 responsibilities.
Championship context and what comes next
Câmara sits second in the 2026 Formula 2 standings, a single point behind Nikola Tsolov, and heads to the Canadian round with the title race finely poised. The Hungaroring test should sharpen his technical feedback and racecraft — assets that are immediately transferable to his championship campaign with Invicta Racing.
What this signals about Ferrari’s talent strategy
Giving juniors access to recent F1 machinery is a measured move: it signals confidence without promising promotion. Ferrari is reinforcing a clear pathway — build experience, refine racecraft in F2, then assess readiness. For Câmara, the test raises expectations; for Ferrari, it’s smart risk management in developing a potential future lead driver.
Bottom line
The Hungaroring outing is a meaningful milestone for Rafael Câmara. It doesn’t guarantee an F1 seat, but it materially strengthens his credentials and prepares him for the decisive midseason stretch in F2. Expect more targeted tests and close monitoring as the season unfolds and Ferrari evaluates which academy talents are ready to ascend.
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Ferrari handed Formula 2 title contender Rafael Câmara his first taste of Formula 1 power.
Planet F1
