Juan Manuel Correa will return to Formula 2 full-time in 2023, four years on from his life-threatening crash in the series.
The American-Ecuadorian was placed in a coma after a crash at Spa-Francorchamps that cost the life of Anthoine Hubert. Correa sustained serious damage to his lungs and legs that required him to learn how to walk again after extensive surgery.After doing so, Correa worked on a return to racing and achieved that in FIA Formula 3 last year. He came 21st in the standings in his comeback season, then claimed a podium this year and finished an improved 13th in the championship.
Last month the opportunity arose to race in F2 again, with Correa standing in for another driver at Van Amersfoort Racing for the season finale. He had a penalty-filled weekend, but enjoyed the experience and has now signed with the team to contest the full 2023 campaign.
“Being back full-time in F2 means more to me than most people can imagine,” said Correa.
“It is not just an achievement in itself to be on this grid, but it also is a realisation of a goal that has been the epicentre of my efforts for the last three years, so it is a very emotional achievement.”He will drive alongside Richard Verschoor at the team. “I am super-grateful for the opportunity that VAR is giving me,” Correa continued. “I am very hungry, I am very motivated, and I know the team is as well.
“I am sure together we, the team and my team mate Richard, will make a great line-up and create a great working environment for everyone. We will be pushing each other to continuously improve, because we all want to do well this upcoming season.”
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“F2 is a competitive category, and I think VAR has done a really good job in their first year in the championship,” said Correa.
“With the little experience they had, they’ve put on a very impressive performance. I am looking forward to seeing how I can help the team improve and work together with them in this very exciting season!”
2022 Formula 2 grid so far
Team | Driver | Driver |
---|---|---|
MP | Dennis Hauger | TBC |
Carlin | TBC | TBC |
ART | TBC | TBC |
Prema | TBC | TBC |
Hitech | TBC | TBC |
DAMS | Ayumu Iwasa | Arthur Leclerc |
Virtuosi | Jack Doohan | Amaury Cordeel |
PHM by Charouz | Roy Nissany | Brad Benavides |
Trident | Clement Novalak | TBC |
Van Amersfoort | Richard Verschoor | Juan Manuel Correa |
Campos | Ralph Boschung | Kush Maini |
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Formula 2
- Bearman wins as Vesti retirement leaves Pourchaire poised to clinch title
- Vesti out-runs Martins after two Safety Car periods for crucial sprint race win
- New, ‘more accessible’ F2 car for 2024 follows F1’s styling lead
- Novalak claims first F2 victory as championship leaders crash out at Zandvoort
- Formula 2 Zandvoort sprint race abandoned after pile-up and heavy rain
Bleu (@bleu)
20th December 2022, 18:36
It’s a feel-good story but for me it looks like Correa isn’t able to reach the level he was before the Spa accident. And I don’t consider him being a top prospect at that point either.
HC
21st December 2022, 0:00
He won’t have the same feeling in his feet after that shunt and injury he suffered.
I’m no doctor but I think it’s safe to call that a fact.
Ronny
21st December 2022, 13:52
Yeah I’m afraid so but lets make sure before writing him off.
Placid (@placid)
20th December 2022, 19:38
With a team that he is in, we will see how he will perform. He just got another metal rod removed. That limited him on his full potential.
Qeki (@qeki)
20th December 2022, 19:41
I bet TBC to win championship. ;)
Well this should be the sport news of the year!
Bullfrog (@bullfrog)
22nd December 2022, 18:47
That’ll Be Chadwick…nope.
That would be a story.