Sami Meguetounif: Navigating the Challenges of His Formula 2 Journey

Sami Meguetounif has embarked on a challenging adventure in Formula 2, finding himself in a tough position in the championship standings. Currently, the Trident driver ranks 19th after eight rounds, accumulating only two points. Recently, he shared insights about his season during the Silverstone round, reflecting on both the struggles and the motivations that define his journey in this highly competitive racing series.

Transition from Formula 3 to Formula 2

Meguetounif transitioned to Formula 2 following a mixed rookie season in Formula 3. The 21-year-old showed flashes of brilliance in 2024, notably clinching victories in two feature races at Imola and Monza. However, aside from those wins, his total points tally was a modest 34, highlighting the ups and downs he faced throughout the season.

In 2025, he made the significant leap to Formula 2 while continuing his partnership with the Trident team. “For me, it was a nice opportunity,” Meguetounif explained. “I joined Trident for one year, but we really connected well, and I felt part of the family. Being a central part of the F2 project and staying with Trident was something that motivated me immensely. I wanted to be the first to perform with Trident.”

A Historical Context

Meguetounif’s enthusiasm is tempered by the historical performance of Trident in Formula 2. Prior to Richard Verschoor finishing eighth in the standings last season, the team had struggled to secure a top-10 position in the championship since Luca Ghiotto’s eighth-place finish in GP2 back in 2016. This context adds a layer of realism to Meguetounif’s outlook, as he acknowledges the challenges posed by Trident’s past.

Despite his team’s historical difficulties, Meguetounif remains confident in his own abilities. He understands that while Trident may not have been the fastest team on the grid, he possesses the speed necessary to compete at the front. The young driver is proactive in pushing his engineers to enhance the car’s performance, using his past experiences as a benchmark.

“They work incredibly hard, and they believe in me,” he stated. “They have the data comparing Leo [Fornaroli] and me from last year in F3. They know that if I’m five tenths off him, it’s crucial to make adjustments to the car to bring me closer to Leo because I have that speed.”

Learning from the Competition

Meguetounif finished the previous season significantly behind Fornaroli, who went on to win the F3 championship. The gap in points—69 points to be exact—reflects Meguetounif’s acknowledgment of the differences in experience and race management. “We all know that the difference between Leo and myself was mainly his experience and race strategy. I had the speed; I just needed to work on my race management.”

He noted how Fornaroli managed to win the championship without securing a single race victory, contrasting it with his own season, which was filled with both triumphs and disappointments, including 11 non-scoring finishes.

Instead of opting for a second year in F3 to develop that crucial consistency, Meguetounif chose to advance to F2. He aimed to place himself in a competitive environment more frequently, but the transition has proven more challenging than anticipated.

The Current Season’s Struggles

As of now, Meguetounif has scored both of Trident’s points in the 2025 season. This leaves the team at the bottom of the championship standings, trailing their closest competitors, Van Amersfoort Racing, by nine points. The presence of another rookie, Max Esterson, alongside him in the team has also limited their ability to provide effective technical feedback, as both are still adapting to the car’s dynamics.

“So far, it’s been a struggle,” he admitted. “Even though the number of cars is less, the competition is incredibly tight among the drivers. The qualifying session at the Red Bull Ring highlighted this; 18 drivers showed they are capable of winning races in F3, making it a highly competitive environment.”

Meguetounif pointed out that the performance dynamics in F2 are much more complex than what he experienced in F3. “There are many more performance variables to consider in F2. Braking mechanics are significantly different; maintaining tire temperature is critical, and the operational range of the car is much tighter. Identifying what makes the car fast and comfortable to drive is a more challenging task in F2 compared to F3. We are currently facing difficulties in this aspect.”

Notable Moments on Track

One of Meguetounif’s most significant moments this season occurred during the sprint race at Spielberg. While battling for 12th place, he found himself in a crash involving Luke Browning and Arvid Lindblad, which resulted in his car flipping over. Meguetounif had to make a risky inside move but was forced to react when Lindblad attempted to overtake Browning, leading to the collision.

“Obviously, when he [Lindblad] began to turn into the corner, the distance I had to turn in decreased drastically. My decision to brake late had already been made, and when he moved to the right to pass Luke, he didn’t see me there. That maneuver sealed my fate,” Meguetounif explained.

Fortunately, all involved drivers escaped injury and competed in the subsequent feature race. The stewards reviewed the incident and deemed it a racing incident, which led to a mix of relief and frustration for Meguetounif.

“I was present during the stewards’ meeting, and they nearly penalized Arvid because he should have left space for the car on the inside. There was no room for me, which forced the contact. However, they also recognized that he genuinely didn’t see me, which influenced their decision.”

This incident marked Meguetounif’s 11th non-scoring finish in just 12 races, yet he demonstrated resilience by bouncing back to secure a 10th place in the Sunday feature race.

Character and Determination

The essence of Meguetounif’s character shines through in his response to adversity. Despite his lowly championship ranking, he embodies a quiet determination, resilience, and self-belief. While he may not have consistently been at the forefront of the F2 grid in 2025, his speed and mentality indicate that he has the potential to make a significant impact as the season progresses.

Throughout this challenging season, Meguetounif’s journey serves as a testament to the grit and determination required to succeed at the highest levels of motorsport. As he continues to navigate the complexities of Formula 2, his experiences underscore the importance of perseverance and the relentless pursuit of improvement.