Tag Archives: GP3

Juan Manuel Correa Announces Plans to Return to Racing in Formula 3

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Juan Manuel Correa is preparing to make a big return to the track…

The 21-year-old Ecuadorian racing driver who suffered severe injuries in a Formula 2 accident that killed Anthoine Hubert in 2019, has announced plans to return to racing this year in Formula 3.

Juan Manuel Correa

Correa sustained serious leg injuries after his car collided with Hubert’s during an F2 race at Spa-Francorchamps in August, 2019.

He was placed in an induced coma after the accident and spent months in hospital, during which he opted against the amputation of his right leg in favor of a total reconstruction.

After a series of surgeries last year and extensive rehabilitation, Correa has announced that he’ll return to racing in F3, which will act as a support series for F1 at various rounds this season, including the U.S. Grand Prix in Austin.

He will race for ART Grand Prix — the same team Hubert raced for in the series when it was known as GP3.

“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,” Correa said. “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 honor 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.”

Correa completed one full season in GP3 in 2018 and finished 12th in the standings before moving up to F2 in 2019, in which he took two second-place finishes before his accident.

He has undergone a total of 25 surgeries on both legs since his accident, with an initial prognosis that it would take two-and-a-half years for him to recover to a point where he could consider racing again.

Last year, Correa said he soon realized after coming out of a coma that he could never turn his back on motorsport.

“Racing is really what I love and it only took me a few days to realize I wasn’t going to lose my love for racing that easily,” he said. “I needed a challenge to motivate myself and do the long journey I have ahead of me.

“Coming back to racing is really a challenge that motivates me and keeps me in a positive mind frame. That’s why this comeback is very important for me.”

Gutierrez Confirmed as Haas Second Formula One Driver

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Esteban Gutierrez will be getting behind the wheel for Haas next year.

The American outfit has confirmed the 24-year-old Mexican racing driver as its second driver for the team’s debut Formula One season in 2016.

Esteban Gutierrez

It has been widely known Gutierrez would be unveiled by Haas for some time, with North American heritage and a role as Ferrari reserve driver making him an obvious candidate.

Ferrari is supplying Haas with a power unit for 2016, while the American outfit is also accepting as many components from Maranello as are allowed in the regulations.

Gutierrez, who drove for Sauber in 2013 and 2014, will partner current Lotus driver Romain Grosjean, who was unveiled at Haas’ North Kannapolis base in late September.

The announcement was made in Mexico City after the first day of practice at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodrigeuz ahead of this weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix.

“I got to know Esteban through our relationship with Ferrari, and after looking at the success he’s had to earn his role there, it became clear he was an excellent choice for our race team,” said team boss Gene Haas. “He’s young and hungry, but not inexperienced. His two years running a full F1 schedule has given him some very good race experience, and having spent this season at Ferrari as their third driver allowed him to see first hand the methodology that makes Ferrari such a power in Formula One.”

“We’re very happy to have Esteban as a part of our race team. Between him and Romain, we have a strong driver lineup that will help us develop our car and, ultimately, score some points in our inaugural season.”

Gutierrez won the GP3 Series in 2010 before spending two years in GP2, where he finished third in 2012. Two seasons followed at Sauber but he only finished in the points once, at 2013 Japanese Grand Prix where he finished sixth.