Changing conditions and on-track chaos defined the F2 Feature Race at the 2026 Miami GP, as Gabriele Mini secured his maiden win in the series. Following the race, Everything Trackside, along with other publications spoke to the podium sitters, including rookie Rafael Câmara.
The Closing Stages
The last five minutes of the race saw a furious three-way battle between Câmara, Beganovic and Mini, which set a mixed podium.
“I think it was a tough race. Definitely not easy. Already at the start, we didn’t manage to get a very good start. And then through the race I was just trying to be there before the pit stops.” The Brazilian recounted “I think the second stint we started quite okay. I knew there was this overheating thing, but I think also on the first stint I was trying to just understand how were the tyres and how they were behaving for the second one to manage in a better way. I just think it pushed a bit too much there on the second stint, especially the last safety car.“
Towards the end of the race, Câmara went wide, losing his leading position to Beganovic and Mini, who fought to the end.
“I just went in the overheat with especially the rear. I couldn’t recover really. After that I was just trying to keep the position and I’ll be there at the podium. That, I think, was the maximum we could have done today. The fight was very intense. I didn’t want really to crash. But it was not very easy as well to be on track with such a low grip at the end. But yeah, there were some good fights. Luckily no crash and a good podium at the end.” Said the Invicta Racing’s driver.”
On New Races and Tyre Management
Miami was not just a new race for the rookie, but also to the entire grid after the cancellation of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
When asked about his tyre management, the Ferrari Academy driver said, “Every time I could I was just trying to be a bit offline to get a bit of water and cool them down a bit. I think just on the driving, even doing that, I just maybe pushed a bit too much and then there was not enough.”
“I think it is an especially good place. The races were very fun, both in the dry and in the wet. It has some long straights and there is quite a lot of time that you can actually take the slipstream or also with the DRS, you can easily try and overtake. Also I think slipstream is a big thing. Even in quali, everyone was looking for that. So you can drive quite close because there’s many high speeds. And even the slow section, if you have, in the moment you have better grip, it’s quite easy to follow. So I think this is what makes very fun on the races. I don’t know how it will be next year, but it was very fun this year.” Câmara commented on the uniqueness and novelty of the track experience.
Instinct and Alertness
When asked about track conditions and the adaptability to the race craft, Câmara responded, “It was definitely not easy. First time in the rain this year, and also, for me, it was really the first time with this car and these tyres. Also in a new track, so not very ideal. It was the same for everyone. Just trying to find out the reference on the breaking points, trying to put some energy on the tyres and make them working from the beginning, especially after the safety cars.”
“It was like I think everyone saw. Gabi said as well that it was very easy to do a mistake. It was just, a race that I was trying to avoid as many mistakes as possible and keep the car on track. Yeah, so it was a bit tough, but in the end, I think, managed to do a good job.”
Navigating New Experiences
“I think it was good to be back, back on the rhythm, and then not as long as a break for the next race. I think, the things we experienced this weekend, what we can improve for the next one. Obviously, it’s a very different track, so it will be a bit like Miami before we came here, that we don’t really know what will happen until we start the free practice.”
“Like every race, we just try to prepare in the best way that we can and be prepared for every condition. So I think, in a way, here was a good weekend that we experienced every condition. That we can definitely take some good points to learn for the next one. Just being back of racing and being back of this rhythm of a weekend, of a race weekend, I think definitely will help us to even arrive more prepared and ready for Montreal.”
Key Takeaways
When asked by his learnings and takeaways from the race by Everything Trackside, the 2025 F3 champion said,“I think there was a lot of things to learn. Like I said, it was the first time on the wet, so I was just trying to maximise the time on the first stint without really losing any positions. And we managed to do a good job until there.”
“Then after, I think I just ruined a bit too much […] just overpushed a bit and then stressed them and went on the overheat and obviously it was difficult to keep the position. I think it was definitely a lot of things to learn. Obviously, we don’t know everything yet because I didn’t see any data, but of course, when I come back with the team, I will just look what I could have done better. The start wasn’t great, […] it was many things that I can see and improve for the next time when we have the same condition.“
Formula 2 will return for it’s third round in Montreal, Canada from 22–24 May, 2026. Nikola Tsolov continues to lead the championship followed by Mini and Câmara.
Featured Image Credit: Formula 2 on X