With the ART GP team, the Ecuadorian driver will run his second season in Formula 3, a “true return” to the tracks after the accident in 2019.
“I will repeat Formula 3, it’s official”, commented the Ecuadorian pilot John Manuel Correa who will be for a season in a row in this category of world motorsports, after the spectacular accident in which he almost lost his life in 2019.
The French team ART GP renews its bond with the tricolor for the 2022 season, in which Correa hopes to “be competitive” and “fight” the championship.
Formula 3 announces that it will continue in competition this year, how is your planning in this category?
Yes, I am very happy. I will repeat Formula 3 with ART Grand Prix, it is official, I feel that it will be my true return to a high level. 2021 was not an easy season both in sports and in terms of my rehabilitation, but I am very excited to continue, I feel that this season is a new opportunity to see how far I can go.
In what conditions?
The contract for a season, the same as I had in 2020. I have to thank the team for the support they gave me to be able to return, knowing that it would be difficult for me.
What balance was made of 2021?
The team is impressed with my dedication And with how I’ve handled my injuries and recovery, what has been handling off the track. I think they like my dynamic in the team, because I am always motivating, pushing. They like that because it brings a productive environment to the team.
And about his evolution behind the wheel?
It is incredible that he can be in this position, I would not have imagined it after the accident. I am proud to have come out of the hole and be back on track.
Couldn’t be happier to stay with ART for another season in F3. We have unfinished business, so we better get started ???? Thank you @ARTGP and my partners for the continued support ???? pic.twitter.com/17h3ZI6ozX
– Juan Manuel Correa (@JMCorrea__) January 14, 2022
Settled in the category, what will be the objectives for this year?
The personal and team goal is fight the championship. To have this opportunity this year I feel that it is not enough to repay the favor and the help that they gave me last year, and to help win the championship, we want to be one of the best Formula 3 teams.
How do you see the fight in the category?
I want to seek the championship, try to win it, fight all the races on point, be consistent and position myself to be in a Formula 2 team next year. You can’t fight for the top if you’re not in the best teams, ART is very strong, but there will be other teams that are too; however, we have the tools to be able to fight.
Can you imagine being on the podium, after everything that happened? How would you celebrate a victory?
Surely with tears, it’s been two terrible years, with many sacrifices. I am really hungry to have a podium and a win.
With the renewal, is there pressure for your performance?
I don’t want to take it that way, but in my case with so much pressure these last few years after the accident, this is a small thing In relation to what I have on me, I am going to enjoy it, I am competitive and I like to win.
Do you feel that there is more confidence in you and in the team?
I believe that yes, part and part, because the longer you work together, the more trust you have, the better understanding, all of that is positive.
How is the ART GP rider squad for this year?
will be two new colleagues (exit Frederik Vesti and Alexander Smolyar), viene Grégoire Saucy, regional Formula 3 champion, a very fast Swiss driver, the other one is not announced yet, but it will be someone with experience. work is in team, there will always be one that does better, someone has to win and I hope it will be me, but it is not a more political issue like the one you see in Formula 1.
When do you start working with the team?
for now I am in London and I plan to meet the team in Paris at the beginning of February, there we will have simulator sessions, visits to the team, private tests on the track. The first official tests will be in March, and at the end of that month it runs in Bahrain and from there we go with the championship, all the races together with the Formula 1 championship in Europe, with races in Italy, Spain, England, Austria, Hungary, Belgium, the Netherlands and we close in Italy, there are nine weekends with two races per date.
Does this maintain the planning to reach F1 in 2024?
Yes it is a plan for the future, but totally dependent on what happens this season, I have to do my job in 2022 and then look forward. This year we do not have planned operations, I’ll have to do two more in the future, but nothing at the moment, I’m just focused on my work for the season.
Will it be a progressive work this year or do you intend to apply the experience of the last season?
We have to go hit from the start, you can’t plan, even in practice you can’t judge where you are, because people try different things. Already in competition and with the first classification we will see in what conditions we are for this year. (D)
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