Alfa Romeo Racing development driver Juan Manuel Correa completed his first Formula One test on Saturday at the Paul Ricard Circuit in France. The young and talented American piloted a 2013-spec C32, powered by a V8 engine, as part of the development program set forth by the team. Currently one of the top drivers in the FIA Formula 2 program, Correa adapted well and progress nicely throughout the day in his first time behind the wheel of a technologically advanced F1 machine.
“What can I say? What an amazing experience. My first drive in a Formula One car was an overwhelming success,” explained Correa. “I enjoyed the test immensely and everything went smooth. I was like a kid in a candy shop for the whole day. Very good day and an awesome experience to work with the guys from Alfa Romeo Racing. Super professional program and could not be happier.”
The Sauber Junior Team by Charouz Racing driver completed 62 laps in total which equals 360 kilometers and claimed a best lap time of 1:41.813 in a qualifying simulation. Consistently improving in race runs throughout the day, Correa was put under pressure during a race simulation in which he completed 14 laps in total and impressed not only himself, but the Alfa Romeo Racing team members.
Correa continued, “The car is obviously very fast and it took me a few laps in the morning to get use to all the new things such as the power steering, the brakes are very very good, the increased downforce, many more switches on the steering wheel to take care of but the team had prepared me very well leading up to the test. I felt very confident with the car since the early stages and it was quite surprising to me how well the car was balanced and settled, it felt as I could push straight away. We made some changes to the setup which helped me and overall, it was a pleasure to work with the team with the amount of knowledge and information that they have. Very happy.”
With his first ever Formula One test now complete, the next event of the FIA Formula 2 calendar takes place August 30 to September 1 at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. Visit www.FIAFormula2.com to follow all the weekend’s action and stay tuned to the Juan Manuel Correa social media pages for photos, results, news and information.
JM Correa would like to thank Alfa Romeo Racing for this amazing opportunity and his marketing partner Step One Automotive Group.
Media Contact:
Raffaella Fant – Marketing Director – rfant@jmcorrea.com
Mike Maurini – Media Manager – info@RaceTechDevelopment.com
Juan Manuel Correa
JM Correa (19) is an American-Ecuadorian F2 driver who grew up in Miami, FL and currently lives in Barcelona, Spain. Juan Manuel’s racing season will be completed with the Sauber Junior Team and he has been selected to participate in the Alfa Romeo Racing Formula 1 Team as Development Driver.
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Web: jmcorrea.com
Instagram: juanmanuelcorrea_
Twitter: JMCorrea_
Facebook: JMCorreaRacing
Photos by: Joan Codina