City life, good food and racing heritage nearby: Sami Meguetounif on his hometown

You often don’t have to go far in France to see where many famous drivers began their careers in karts and for Sami Meguetounif, that’s no different.

While the Trident star is living in Marseille, his career started in Morocco before moving back to France and kick-starting his future in single seaters. He also has time for some sea-side action and taking the scenery in at home.

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP

“I grew up in Marrakesh in Morocco. I was born in Marseilles, but I went to live in Morocco when I was four months old and lived there for 11 years. I started karting there, but it’s not a place to develop for racing, so I was mainly driving alone for the first few months, but then went to France to start racing in more serious stuff. Marrakesh is where I grew up, but I have lived in Marseilles since I was 11. My parents have been working there and now I live there too. I really like the city.

“They are trying to make motorsport bigger in Morocco with a karting school and stuff like that. I don’t know what the plans are but there are regional races, but it’s still not a place where you can race every weekend.”

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE IT TO SOMEONE?

“Marseilles has good weather, is by the sea and is a mix of everything. The culture, religions, you see people from everywhere that all live in this city. It’s a good place to live as you’re in the middle relative to Spain, Italy – you’re in the middle of everything. You’re in the part of France with nice weather compared to Paris. Personally, I love the sea so it’s nice there.

WHAT LANGAUAGES ARE SPOKEN THERE?

“French mainly, but there are a lot of schools there with kids coming from everywhere to study, so there’s a lot there.”

WHERE SHOULD PEOPLE GO IF THEY VISIT?

“I would say to go to the corniche and the seaside. Going to Notre-Dame de la Garde, the cathedral. It’s up high on a hill in the middle of Marseille. From there, you can see everything, the sea and the city side.”

READ MORE: Meguetounif disappointed to miss out on podium but happy with Sakhir weekend

WHERE SHOULD PEOPLE GO FOR FOOD?

“Chez Etienne. It’s an old restaurant in the old centre of Marseilles. You can eat pizza, squid, typical Marseilles food. The atmosphere there is nice with all of the cooking and lots of people talking and having a good time there.”

WHERE CAN WE GO KARTING THERE?

“In Marseilles itself, there is only indoor karting, the owner is a friend of mine, so I enjoy going but it’s not a proper track – it’s quite small like all indoor tracks. The closest track is Brignoles, Jules Bianchi started racing there, so did Charles Leclerc and so did I. My first race was there, this one is a proper track, it’s quite big and there’s official races held there.”