Correa Joins Prema LMP2 Effort

Photo: Prema

Juan Manuel Correa will make his sports car racing debut as part of Prema’s European Le Mans Series effort in LMP2.

The 22-year-old Ecuadorian-American, who returned to racing last year after suffering life-threatening injuries following a deadly accident involving Antoine Hubert in the FIA Formula 2 Championship round at Spa-Francorchamps in 2019, is the first confirmed driver in the team’s Oreca 07 Gibson.

As first revealed by Sportscar365 last November, the joint effort with Ferrari GT squad Iron Lynx will take on a full-time ELMS campaign in addition to its foray into the FIA World Endurance Championship, also in LMP2.

Correa, who will also compete in the FIA Formula 3 Championship this year, makes his return to the Italian squad after contesting GP3 in 2016 before moving onto F2.

“I am thrilled to be back with Prema in a completely different championship to what I’m used to,” he said.

“Endurance racing is a discipline I have always had an interest in, and what better way to make my debut than with a team that I consider to be like family.

“It will be a busy season for me with a double F3/ELMS program but I can’t wait to get started! A big thank you to Prema and to my partners for this opportunity.”

Additional drivers for the team’s ELMS program have yet to be announced.

“We cannot express how delighted we are to welcome Juan Manuel back to our team,” said Prema team principal Rene Rosin.

“We were thrilled to work with him at the beginning of his career. He is both a skilled competitor and an enjoyable partner, and we were deeply inspired by what he accomplished in the last two years.

“We are confident that he will quickly adapt to the new style of driving, and we will have a great baseline for the season.”

Robert Kubica, Louis Deletraz and Lorenzo Colombo, meanwhile, have already been confirmed as Prema’s drivers for its WEC entry.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John