Correa: Timing uncertain but I will return to racing

  • Published on 31 Jan 2020 09:15
  • comments 0
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Juan Manuel Correa is adamant that he will return to racing in the future following his major crash at Spa-Francorchamps last year.

In the early stages of the Formula 2 Feature Race in Belgium of 2019, Correa collided with Anthoine Hubert, with the latter losing his life in the incident.

Correa's situation looked uncertain, as he underwent complicated surgery to save his right leg and was placed on an ECMO machine. 

While his condition has improved over the last number of months, the Ecuadorian driver has conceded that his leg will likely never fully recover

However that has not scared him out of the possibility of returning to racing, as he insists he misses getting behind the wheel of a car.

"I can return," Correa told n-tv. "The timing is uncertain because it is such a complicated injury that so much can happen.

"But even if it takes two years to come back, I will come back. I am very sure of that. I miss racing very much, every day. 

"I can even imagine being in Formula 1 someday, if I do everything that is possible in rehab. Why not? Racing is not like ballet or football - as long as you can apply the gas and the brake, you're good.

"I'm fit from the waist up with no damage, that's the important thing. I have to get my leg good enough, but after that I can drive any car in the world."

'Eau Rouge shouldn't be changed'

Correa opposed the idea of changing the Eau Rouge/Raidillon section of corners, where the fatal crash occurred.

"No, they shouldn't change it," he said. "This corner is legendary, and to be honest, it could have happened in so many other corners as well.

"I love that corner and the track is one of my favourite in the simulator too. I don't know what it will be like if I drive there again in real life, but no, they shouldn't change the circuit."

Correa spoke about the time when he woke up from the accident, stating the "hardest moment was when I found out that Anthoine passed away".

"I didn't wake up until the next day in the hospital in Belgium," Correa said. "I saw my legs and how badly they were injured and noticed that I was in a lot of pain."

"Everyone went to Monza the day after the accident. I stayed in the hospital and I almost died four days later. And there was no FIA or anyone who looked after me.

"The reason I almost died was because of the strong G-forces that you only have in such a serious accident," he continued. "But the doctors in the hospital didn't know what that was because they had never seen anyone who has survived such an impact."

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 02:26

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 02:26

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2 2024
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9 2024
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24 2024
Australia
5 - Apr 7 2024
Japan
19 - Apr 21 2024
China
3 - May 5 2024
United States of America
17 - May 19 2024
Italy
24 - May 26 2024
Monaco
7 - Jun 9 2024
Canada
21 - Jun 23 2024
Spain
28 - Jun 30 2024
Austria
5 - Jul 7 2024
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21 2024
Hungary
26 - Jul 28 2024
Belgium
23 - Aug 25 2024
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1 2024
Italy
13 - Sep 15 2024
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22 2024
Singapore
18 - Oct 20 2024
United States of America
25 - Oct 27 2024
Mexico
1 - Nov 3 2024
Brazil
22 - Nov 24 2024
United States of America
29 - Dec 1 2024
Qatar
6 - Dec 8 2024
United Arab Emirates
-
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2 2024
7 - Mar 9 2024
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24 2024
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7 2024
19 - Apr 21 2024
3 - May 5 2024
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19 2024
24 - May 26 2024
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9 2024
21 - Jun 23 2024
28 - Jun 30 2024
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7 2024
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21 2024
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28 2024
23 - Aug 25 2024
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1 2024
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15 2024
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22 2024
18 - Oct 20 2024
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27 2024
1 - Nov 3 2024
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24 2024
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1 2024
6 - Dec 8 2024
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
-
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Charouz Racing System
  • Points -
  • Podiums -
  • Grand Prix -
  • Country US
  • Date of b. Aug 9 1999 (25)
  • Place of b. Quito, Ecuador, US
  • Weight 0 kg
  • Length 0 m
Show full profile
show sidebar