Juan Manuel Correa will return to racing in 2021 after signing with ART Grand Prix in Formula 3.
The Ecuadorian-American has been undergoing major rehab, including 25 operations, after sustaining severe leg injuries in the F2 crash which killed Anthoine Hubert at Spa Francorchamps back in 2019.
Those operations came after Correa, who himself was placed into a coma after the accident, opted against having his leg amputated in favour of reconstruction and had been in a metal cast until last October.
Initially, doctors believed it would over two and a half years before the 21-year-old could even consider racing again, but 16 months on, Correa is already beginning pre-season preparations ahead of his comeback.
“Announcing my return to the race tracks is one of the proudest moments in my professional career, as I’ve had to work very hard and sacrifice a lot for it to happen,” he said via ESPN.
“I want to thank the motorsport community and the fans for their unconditional support.
“I have no words to thank ART Grand Prix for believing in me and for being part of my story.
“I would also like to take a chance to honour the memory of Anthoine, as I will keep him very close to my heart in every race and try to carry his legacy as best as I can.”
Indeed, in joining ART, Correa will now race for the same team which Hubert competed for in 2017 and 2018, when the series was then known as GP3.
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However, he hopes this initial step back will just be a momentary one as he looks to restart his motorsport dream.
“First of all, I’m extremely happy to be back after what I’ve been through,” he said.
“I am super thankful to ART Grand Prix; it means a lot to me that they’re believing in me and my comeback. F3 is a transition year, my dream is still to reach F1 and this is the first step in my comeback.
“My targets are a bit ahead of myself because I still have to do a lot, I have not driven a car for a year and a half and there is a big learning curve ahead. I’m entering this season with an open mind, I won’t put pressure on myself, I will do my best, I will do what I love and that’s already a victory.”