Juan Manuel Correa is lucky to be alive after his horrific Formula 2 crash at Spa last season. Anthonie Hubert was not so lucky and died in the accident. Correa feels like he did not have enough support and that the FIA abandoned him while he was in the hospital.
Shortly after the accident, Correa was moved to a hospital where doctors worked for days to save his life. During these crucial days, the FIA not present despite having important information about the impact of the accident and the G-force he went through. The doctors in the hospital were not aware of the impact of G-forces on the body which could have helped them.
“One day after the accident, the entire Formula 2 circus left for Italy for the Grand Prix of Monza, while I fought in the hospital for my life," Correa said to N-TV. "The doctors needed information about my accident, but none of the FIA came to give them information about the impact of the accident. No one from the FIA cared about me. In the hospital they were not familiar with G-forces and the consequences of such a heavy impact, while that was the reason that I almost died on day four.
“When I woke up in the hospital I could tell by my legs how badly injured I was and I was in a lot of pain. But the most difficult moment was when I heard that Athoine was dead."
"I miss racing very much. Someday I hope I can again accelerate with my right leg and maybe come I still go to Formula 1."
It was a tragic accident and hopefully, those at the FIA have learnt that they need to be present for longer and share their data with the doctors.