Alfa Romeo have announced that Juan Manuel Correa has re-joined their Sauber Academy after a 22 month absence following injuries sustained in a horrific accident at Spa Francorchamps in F2.
Correa had initially been part of the programme in 2019 as he enjoyed a positive start to his rookie season in F2 with Charouz, yielding 36 points and two second-placed finishes in four top-seven finishes until he sustained leg injuries in a tragic crash at Spa which saw Anthoine Hubert pass away.
Having sat out the second half of 2019 and entirety of 2020 as he recovered from the accident, Correa is now back competing in Formula Three with ART GP, where he snatched one point at last month’s season opener in Barcelona, Spain.
Speaking on his return to the Academy, Correa admitted that this opportunity is ‘very special’ after having tested for the team under the Alfa Romeo branding in 2019 at a test at Circuit Paul Ricard, France just a week before his crash.
Correa has vowed to helped Alfa Romeo in whatever form is required whether it is in testing or just simulator work, and will sport their Academy branding on his F3 car and helmet from this weekend as F3 supports the French Grand Prix.
Correa has also paid tribute to ART GP of whom he drives for in F3 and Alfa Romeo Team Principal – Frederic Vasseur, commenting: ” I am very grateful to ART and Sébastien Philippe, and of course to Fred Vasseur, for all the support he has given me, and to everyone else at Sauber, from Beat Zehnder to all those who have been absolutely amazing and so supportive since my accident and throughout my recovery.”
Sauber Motorsport Sporting Director, Beat Zehnder meanwhile hailed Correa’s return to racing and the Sauber Academy as ‘an inspiring story’ which highlighted ‘all his strength and will power.’
Zehnder also confirmed that Sauber will help him throughout the programme as he seeks to resume his racing career.
Other drivers enrolled in the Sauber Academy include 2020 F3 vice-champion, Theo Pourchaire who has graduated to Formula Two and won the Monaco Feature Race last month.
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