RAFAEL CÂMARA WINS BAKU FEATURE RACE 2 AFTER DUNNE PENALTY - Motorsportsclicks

Rafael Câmara won the second Feature Race of the 2026 FIA Formula 2 weekend in Baku after inheriting victory from Alexander Dunne. The Rodin Motorsport driver crossed the finish line first on the road, but a five-second penalty for crossing the white line at the pit entry dropped him to third. Câmara was therefore promoted to first, with Nikola Tsolov taking second.

The result gives Câmara a seven-point lead over Tsolov in the Drivers’ Championship. The Brazilian entered the Baku weekend behind the Bulgarian but leaves Azerbaijan at the top of the standings for the first time this season. Dunne remains involved in the title fight after taking his first F2 victory of the year in Feature Race 1 and adding another podium in the second Feature Race.

The race started with Martinius Stenshorne keeping the lead ahead of Dunne and Câmara. The first Safety Car was deployed almost immediately after John Bennett was sent into a spin at Turn 1 following contact with Rafael Villagómez. Racing resumed on Lap 3, with Câmara attacking Dunne but locking up and remaining behind the Rodin driver.

Tsolov started the race from 11th after receiving a three-place grid penalty. The Campos Racing driver had been given a five-second penalty after the previous Feature Race for crossing the pit entry line, but because he had retired, the penalty was converted into a grid drop for Feature Race 2.

Dunne then became one of the first drivers to make his mandatory pit stop. He entered the pits at the start of Lap 7, shortly before a Virtual Safety Car was called after Ritomo Miyata stopped on track. Dunne returned to the circuit further down the order but gained time through the alternative strategy.

A second Virtual Safety Car later appeared when Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak stopped at Turn 16. Several drivers made their mandatory stops, while Câmara stayed out and waited for a better opportunity. Once he finally stopped, the Invicta driver returned to the fight for the lead.

Câmara initially struggled with cold tyres after his pit stop, allowing Dunne to regain the lead with the help of DRS. However, the Brazilian quickly brought his tyres up to temperature and stayed close to the Rodin driver. Behind them, Tsolov continued his remarkable recovery through the field.

The decisive moment came when Dunne was handed a five-second penalty for crossing the white line at the pit entry. The Rodin driver then had to push to build a gap of more than five seconds to Câmara if he wanted to keep the victory after the penalty was applied.

Tsolov was also closing quickly. The Campos driver passed Stenshorne for third on Lap 20 and then reduced the gap to Câmara during the final laps. He reached DRS range of the Brazilian before the end of the race, creating a three-way fight for victory between Câmara, Tsolov and Dunne.

Dunne eventually crossed the finish line first, but his penalty dropped him to third. Câmara finished second on the road and inherited the win, while Tsolov was promoted to second. The final gap between Câmara and Tsolov was only 0.747 seconds, with Dunne 4.310 seconds behind the winner after the penalty was applied.

For Câmara, the victory was his third of the 2026 season. He had already won the Barcelona and Spa Feature Races, and his Baku result gives him another important advantage in the championship fight.

The Baku weekend was also highly important for Dunne. The Irishman won Feature Race 1 from pole position, finished third in Feature Race 2 and also took another podium in the Sprint Race. His three podiums made Rodin one of the strongest teams of the weekend, although the penalty prevented Dunne from completing the second Feature Race with another victory.

The 2026 Formula 2 season now moves to its final two rounds in Lusail and Yas Marina. The official calendar currently lists Qatar for November 27-29 and Abu Dhabi for December 4-6, meaning the championship will continue with two rounds still remaining.

Câmara leaves Baku with a seven-point advantage over Tsolov, while Dunne remains in the championship fight. With two rounds still scheduled, the title will be decided on track in the final part of the season.