Câmara enters Baku only 7 points behind Tsolov in unusual F2 title round

News Summary

Nikola Tsolov leads Rafael Câmara by only 7 points before the penultimate F2 round in Baku
The Azerbaijan weekend features two qualifying sessions, one Sprint and two Feature Races
A theoretical maximum of 67 points is available, increasing the possibility of a decisive championship swing

Rafael Câmara will begin Formula 2’s unusual Azerbaijan round only 7 points behind championship leader Nikola Tsolov, with Baku offering more opportunities—and considerably more danger—than a conventional weekend.

Tsolov arrives at the Baku City Circuit with 177 points, while Câmara has 170. Gabriele Minì remains involved on 153, 24 points behind the leader, with Alexander Dunne fourth on 139.

The championship situation became tighter after a difficult Madrid weekend for Tsolov. Câmara failed to take full advantage, scoring only 4 points, but still reduced a margin that had threatened to place the Campos driver in control of the title race.

Baku now introduces a three-race format comprising one Sprint and two Feature Races. Combined with two separate qualifying sessions, the arrangement creates a theoretical maximum of 67 points for a single driver.

2026 Formula 2 standings before Baku

Pos.	Driver	Team	Points
1	N. TSOLOV	Campos Racing	177
2	R. CÂMARA	Invicta Racing	170
3	G. MINÌ	MP Motorsport	153
4	A. DUNNE	Rodin Motorsport	139
5	N. LEON	Prema Racing	119

Why are 67 points available in Baku?

Formula 2 will hold two qualifying sessions and three races because it is the only support championship appearing during the Azerbaijan GP weekend.

The first qualifying session will determine the grid for Friday’s opening Feature Race, while also establishing the order from which the top ten will be reversed for the Sprint. The second session sets the grid for Saturday’s additional Feature Race.

Each qualifying session awards 2 points for pole position. The Sprint winner receives 10 points, while each Feature Race victory is worth 25. One fastest-lap point is also available in all three races, provided the driver meets the eligibility requirements.

The maximum is therefore calculated as follows:

Session	Maximum points
Qualifying 1	2
Qualifying 2	2
Sprint Race	11
Feature Race 1	26
Feature Race 2	26
Total	67

That is 28 points more than the maximum normally available during a standard F2 weekend. The expanded format means Câmara could overturn his deficit without requiring a poor weekend from Tsolov, but it also gives the championship leader additional opportunities to rebuild his advantage.

Câmara has recovered from difficult start

Câmara’s challenge has been constructed through consistency rather than complete control of the season. The Brazilian went without points in three of the opening six races but established himself as a regular podium contender during the European rounds.

His strongest weekend came at Spa-Francorchamps, where he scored 28 points in the Feature Race after taking pole and victory. Further podiums in Hungary and Monza allowed him to remain close to Tsolov despite the Campos driver’s four victories.

At Monza, Câmara finished second in both races as Joshua Dürksen completed a Formula 2 weekend sweep. Those results reduced Tsolov’s championship advantage before Madrid narrowed the gap again.

Câmara has scored in nine of the last 12 races. Tsolov, however, has gone without points in the last four, failing to score across the Monza and Madrid weekends.

That run has transformed Baku from an opportunity for Tsolov to control the championship into the moment when Câmara can take the lead.

Baku increases the cost of every mistake

The expanded format creates opportunity, but the characteristics of the Baku City Circuit make it particularly difficult to maximise all three races.

Drivers must manage the narrow castle section, heavy braking zones and one of the longest full-throttle sections on the calendar. Slipstreaming can produce significant changes in qualifying, while yellow and red flags frequently interrupt attempts to set a clean lap.

The two qualifying sessions will therefore be crucial. A mistake in one does not necessarily destroy the entire weekend, but it can compromise a Feature Race worth up to 26 points.

Minì also remains close enough to benefit from any trouble involving the leading pair. A perfect Baku weekend would allow the Italian to move from 24 points behind Tsolov to 43 ahead, meaning the title fight cannot yet be reduced exclusively to two drivers.

After Azerbaijan, the championship is scheduled to continue with rounds in Lusail and Abu Dhabi. Baku begins on Thursday, with the Sprint and opening Feature Race on Friday before the second Feature Race takes place on Saturday.