Sami Meguetounif, the 21-year-old French driver from Marseille, is set to begin a new chapter in endurance racing by joining TDS Racing for his European Le Mans Series (ELMS) debut this season. He will compete in the LMP2 Pro-Am category, marking a significant shift in his career following challenges in single-seater racing.
Transitioning from Single-Seaters to Endurance Racing
After spending several years developing through European single-seater series, Meguetounif reached a career highlight last year by entering Formula 2 with the Trident team. However, his Formula 2 campaign was marred by difficulties as Trident struggled in a tough sporting environment, with the team only scoring two points, both earned by the French driver. His season concluded prematurely following a mid-race crash at Monza, after which Trident ended its partnership with both Meguetounif and his teammate Max Esterson.
Reflecting on the situation, Meguetounif said,
“It’s been a difficult season for me. It was hard to stop midway; I would have liked to finish it.”
– Sami Meguetounif, Driver
Exploring New Opportunities in Racing
Despite the setback, Meguetounif explored different directions to continue his racing career, considering options across both single-seaters and endurance racing. He participated in the ELMS Rookie Test at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, gaining valuable experience behind the wheel of an LMP2 Oreca 07 prototype run by IDEC Sport. Around this time, he also tested in Indy NXT in the United States, where he posted the fastest lap times over both test days, showcasing his adaptability and speed in varied formats.
Throughout these explorations, endurance racing emerged as a promising avenue, increasingly favored by former single-seater competitors like fellow French drivers Victor Martins and Theo Pourchaire. Meguetounif remains motivated by long-held ambitions, stating,
“Every driver dreams of one day competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.”
– Sami Meguetounif, Driver
Joining an Experienced Lineup at TDS Racing
At TDS Racing, Meguetounif will share driving duties with seasoned teammates Steven Thomas and Scott Huffaker. Thomas, an American bronze-rated driver, has a strong endurance background including two Michelin Endurance Cup titles in IMSA competition and two starts at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Huffaker, a 26-year-old Californian classified as gold by the FIA, has prior experience with TDS Racing through the IMSA series and has competed in ELMS driving an LMGT3 Ferrari for Kessel Racing.
The 2026 ELMS season will commence on April 12th at the 4 Hours of Barcelona, held at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain. For Meguetounif, this event represents a crucial step to establish himself in endurance racing, build on his development, and continue progressing at a highly competitive level.
TDS Racing has already secured invitations to compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the LMP2 Pro-Am class, confirming two drivers—Bronze-rated Tobias Lütke and Gold-rated Mathias Beche. With Meguetounif rated as Silver, a potential third seat could be available for him to realize his goal of racing at the legendary endurance event.
This move marks an important milestone in Meguetounif’s career, illustrating his resilience and adaptability as he transitions from single-seaters to endurance racing, while keeping alive his aspiration to compete in one of motorsport’s most prestigious challenges.
