Juan Manuel Correa, the American driver who suffered severe injuries in the Formula 2 accident that killed Anthoine Hubert in 2019, has announced he will return to racing this year in Formula 3.
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 favour of a total reconstruction.
After a series of surgeries last year and extensive rehabilitation, Correa announced on Monday that he will 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.
Speaking on the ESPN F1 podcast last year, Correa said he soon realised 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 realise 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."