Since its beginning on the Dos Hemisferios kart track, Juan Manuel Correa (20 years old) has gone through a demanding but dynamic process, jumping through categories in the world of motorsports that surprises with his performance behind the wheel, a quality that has him this year in the Junior Sauber Team of Formula 2, a stepping stone to the big jump to F1, a category with which he already has contact as a development driver for Alfa Romeo, an Italian team that will put him to the test with one of their cars in France, although reaching the top category is something the capital native can wait for.

How was that contact with Alfa Romeo?

It was almost at the same time as joining Formula 2. It started in 2018, they were looking for a development driver, and due to a good performance in the post-season tests, combined with the relationship of my team with the bosses of Alfa Romeo, I had the opportunity for this year and so far it's going well.

What tasks are carried out in that role?

It involves doing the work that the regular drivers (Kimi Räikkönen and Antonio Giovinazzi) can't do due to time constraints. We test new things, but it's all done in simulators, which benefits to have a connection and work with the Alfa Romeo team.

You have a test with them on the agenda, what will it be like?

It's scheduled for August 24th at the Paul Ricard circuit (France). It's a test in the 2014 Formula 1 car, the last car with a V8 engine that was raced, it's a test they do to get to know me better, a first contact with these vehicles that will serve to measure the potential I have.

Is it a test without any commitment for both parties?

I don't have to prove anything, I go without pressure. They know me for my results, but it's different when dealing personally with the driver. It's a test, I want to enjoy it, but with a lot of professionalism, it's also a time to have fun, enjoy the moment because not many people can get in an F1 car.

Any previous contact?

I met the car about two weeks ago, then meetings with engineers who gave me a 50-page booklet to see how the steering wheel works, because there are about 250 options there. Then it will be about arriving and doing laps on the circuit.

Is reaching the top category a dream?

Like for all drivers, but it's not something that keeps me awake at night, it's a goal that I will pursue, but at the moment I have no expectations, I take it calmly, focused on Formula 2, which is what does keep me awake at night because I want to finish my first season well.

Do you have any plan to reach Formula 1?

That's something that will depend on many factors, for example, if I win Formula 2 next year, I would move up to 2021, but if I fight for the Top 10, I would say 2022 and with that have a third year in Formula 2, everything depends on how things go, for now I want to finish the year well, next I will continue with the team and then we'll see what happens.

Two podiums as a rookie in F2. Has your performance exceeded expectations?

It's something very good because it's a competitive category, all the drivers have won in lower categories, there are many talents. The work has been good, but there's a lot of room for improvement, there's constant evolution and we must adapt as a driver and as a team.

How is the end of the year with Sauber Junior?

There are eight races left, all on tracks I already know. It will be a difficult part of the season, but the important thing will be to score points, we have been inconsistent because although we have reached the podium, we have also had races where we haven't scored. As a team, we lack a bit of stability, so we can at least score consistently.

You're among the top rookies, what else can you fight for this year?

I'm twelfth in the classification (out of 24), but we shouldn't give up, there are candidates to win the season, but that can't bring our spirits down. Now I'm resting and I hope to recharge to push through the final part of the year. The goal will be to get into the Top 10.

You were born in Ecuador and race as an American. How is that relationship?

I race as an American more due to license procedures. People say that I'm Ecuadorian and that's how I feel, because the way things are going, I'm helping put Ecuador on the motorsports map. They ask me what I'm doing there, because it's tough for Latinos and Americans to make this change to Europe. Reaching this level is something that doesn't happen very often.

"My development as a driver has been favorable, everything happened very quickly, but I feel like I've reached where I want to be, for now."
Juan Manuel Correa, national driver

2 seasons

What would be his stay with Sauber Junior Team. The Ecuadorian driver joined to race this season in Formula 2 and has secured his participation for 2020. (D)