Juan Manuel Correa. — Photo: © LAT Images

Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo "had to help" Correa after "huge human effort"

Correa is making his comeback from serious injuries sustained in 2019

Sam Hall

Friday 18 June 2021 15:29

Alfa Romeo team principal Fred Vasseur revealed he "had to help" Juan Manuel Correa after welcoming him back to the Sauber Academy.

Correa has been enrolled into the junior programme ahead of just his second race weekend since his 2019 crash at Spa Francorchamps.

After recovering from severe injuries he sustained to his legs, spine and lungs in the crash that cost Anthoine Hubert his life, Ecuadorian-American driver Correa returned to racing at the first round of the season in Barcelona, scoring a point in the second of three races,

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Ahead of this weekend's French Grand Prix, which Correa will contest with ART, the Sauber Academy announced the driver had rejoined its ranks after testing an F1 car with the team in 2019.

Vasseur explained: "It's a way to support Juan Manuel on his own project.

"Honestly, I was in Spa two years ago. It was a very tough time for everybody and Juan Manuel had something like 22 surgeries.

"He has spent the last two years with a clear target to come back, it was for him the main motivation and I wanted to help him.

"The way I had to help him was to ask him to come back to the academy and to try to support him on the project.

"It's such a huge human effort that I think it makes sense to be part of this."

A "special" return for Correa

Declaring it "a great feeling" to be working with the team again, Correa added: "I am looking forward to helping whenever needed, be it in the sim or elsewhere.

"I am very grateful to ART and Sébastien Philippe, and of course to Fred, for all the support he has given me, and to everyone else at Sauber, from [Sauber motorsport sporting director] Beat Zehnder to all those who have been absolutely amazing and so supportive since my accident and throughout my recovery.

"It’s an honour to be back with this team.”