Juan Manuel Correa has completed a permanent return to F2 with Van Amersfoort Racing for 2023 season.
Manuel Correa first graduated to F2 in 2019 and enjoyed a solid rookie campaign with Charouz, which included second-placed finishes in Azerbaijan and France until a tragic accident during 2019 Belgian Feature Race halted his racing career due to serious leg injuries.
The 23 year-old returned to racing in 2021 as he dropped back into F3 with ART GP, as part of his long-term recovery, during which he claimed 50 points in total plus a second-placed podium finish at Zandvoort this season.
Manuel Correa though was determined to return to F2 and secured an one-off drive for Van Amerfoort Racing (VAR) in the season finale in Abu Dhabi, before he went on to drive on Days 2 and 3 of the post-season test.
VAR have since opted to sign the Ecuadorian-American for next season and Manuel Correa expressed that this move “means more to me than most people can imagine.”
Reflecting on his journey since the tragic events of three-and-a-half years ago from his accident involving late Anthoine Hubert in Belgium, Correa said his permanent return is beyond just “an achievement” but “also is a realization of a goal that has been the epicenter of my efforts for the last three years”.
Whilst acknowledging his “very emotional achievement”, Manuel Correa also added that he feels “super grateful” that VAR believes is “very hungry,” and “very motivated,” to make the permanent step up to F2 again.
Manuel Correa will partner Richard Verschoor next season and he believes that they together can “make a great line-up and create a great working environment for everyone.”
2023 will be VAR’s second season in F2 and Manuel Correa believes that their aim will be “to continuously improve,” with view to fight for podiums and race victories, having joined this season with “little experience” but produced strong performances nevertheless.
VAR CEO, Rob Niessink is “excited” to have signed Manuel Correa to partner Verschoor next season and proceeded to praise Manuel Correa for his “incredible” commitment to fighting his way back into F2 with “valuable”experience which will help both drivers and VAR develop next season.
On his expectations for how Manuel Correa and Verschoor will perform as teammates, Niessink added: “We are convinced that Juan Manuel and Richard will complement each other massively, both on- and off the track, which we see as a strong asset.”
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