Sami Meguetounif Claims Maiden FIA Formula 3 Victory in Barcelona Feature Race

Campos Racing driver Sami Meguetounif secured his maiden FIA Formula 3 victory during the Feature Race at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on June 23, 2024. The French driver converted his front-row start into a dominant lights-to-flag win, leading a team 1-2 finish ahead of teammate Oliver Goethe. According to the official FIA Formula 3 report, Meguetounif managed tire degradation and multiple Safety Car restarts to finish 6.8 seconds clear of the field.

How Sami Meguetounif Secured the Win

Meguetounif capitalized on a strong start, immediately pulling away from the pack as the field navigated the opening corners. While the race saw several interruptions due to on-track incidents, the Campos Racing driver maintained composure during every restart. By the mid-point of the 24-lap race, Meguetounif had established a comfortable buffer, allowing him to manage his Pirelli tires effectively on the abrasive Barcelona surface. His teammate, Oliver Goethe, successfully defended second position, ensuring a significant points haul for the Spanish-based Campos Racing squad on home soil.

Impact on the FIA Formula 3 Standings

The results in Barcelona significantly reshaped the 2024 FIA Formula 3 Drivers’ Championship. Following the weekend, Leonardo Fornaroli and Gabriele Minì remained at the sharp end of the table, but the consistency of the Campos Racing drivers allowed them to bridge the gap to the leaders. According to official FIA F3 standings, the performance moved Meguetounif into contention for the top ten, while Campos Racing solidified its position as a primary challenger in the Teams’ Championship.

Championship Context

• Race Winner: Sami Meguetounif (Campos Racing)
• Runner-up: Oliver Goethe (Campos Racing)
• Third Place: Tim Tramnitz (MP Motorsport)
• Circuit: Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Spain

Why the Barcelona Feature Race Was Decisive

Strategy played a more significant role in this race than in the preceding Sprint event. Because the Feature Race requires longer stints and higher tire management, the ability of the Campos Racing engineers to set up the car for sustained pace proved superior to their rivals. While other teams struggled with rear-tire overheating in the final sectors of the track, Meguetounif’s car remained balanced. This performance serves as a tactical precedent for the remainder of the 2024 calendar, where high-degradation tracks like Silverstone and the Hungaroring will test similar engineering philosophies.

Looking Ahead to the Next Round

The FIA Formula 3 season continues with the European leg of the championship, moving next to the Red Bull Ring in Austria. Drivers will face a different set of challenges, including significant elevation changes and high-speed braking zones. As the series moves into the second half of the season, the battle between the top three teams—PREMA Racing, Trident, and Campos Racing—is expected to intensify. Fans can track updated standings and session times via the official FIA Formula 3 website as the countdown to the Austrian Grand Prix weekend begins.