Juan Manuel Correa Bio
Juan Manuel Correa Borja, born August 9, 1999, in Quito, Ecuador, is an American-Ecuadorian racing driver currently competing in the 2025 Indy NXT series with HMD Motorsports. He has an extensive background in single-seater racing, having competed in the FIA Formula 2 Championship from 2022 to 2024 with Van Amersfoort Racing and DAMS Lucas Oil. Correa has also achieved success in endurance racing, winning a race in the European Le Mans Series in the LMP2 category as a silver-ranked driver.
Early Life and Background
Born in Quito, Ecuador, Juan Manuel Correa began his professional karting career in 2008. He quickly established himself by winning titles in both Ecuador and the United States, including the Rotax Max Challenge Junior Championship in 2013. His karting prowess earned him a spot in the Lotus Formula One team’s junior driver program during his formative years. This early exposure to competitive motorsport laid the foundation for his progression into higher racing categories.
Correa’s dual nationality and international upbringing provided him with diverse racing opportunities across continents. His early success in karting was instrumental in attracting attention from prominent racing teams and development programs, setting the stage for his transition into single-seater racing.
Path to NASCAR
While Juan Manuel Correa has not competed in NASCAR, his racing career has been focused primarily on formula and endurance racing series. His path has included participation in various junior formula championships, endurance racing, and development roles within Formula One teams. His career trajectory highlights a commitment to open-wheel and sports car racing disciplines rather than stock car racing.
Juan Manuel Correa Career
Early Career (2016–2018)
Correa made his single-seater debut in 2016 with Prema Powerteam, competing in both the ADAC Formula 4 and Italian F4 championships. During this debut season, he secured three wins and finished sixth in the Italian F4 standings and tenth in ADAC Formula 4. The following year, he continued in ADAC Formula 4, focusing on further development and experience.
In August 2017, Correa debuted in the GP3 Series at Spa-Francorchamps with Jenzer Motorsport and signed on for a full season in 2018. Although he did not achieve podium finishes, he demonstrated competitiveness by scoring 42 points and finishing twelfth overall, outperforming his teammate Tatiana Calderón.
FIA Formula 2 Breakthrough and Challenges (2019–2024)
Juan Manuel Correa’s first full FIA Formula 2 season was in 2019 with the Sauber Junior Team by Charouz. He scored his first points at Baku with a seventh-place feature race finish and a second place in the sprint race. He earned another podium with a second place at Le Castellet, narrowly missing the win by two seconds. His season was tragically interrupted by a severe crash at Spa-Francorchamps, resulting in critical leg injuries and the death of fellow driver Anthoine Hubert. Correa underwent extensive surgery and rehabilitation, sidelining him for the remainder of the season and much of 2020.
After a year focused on recovery, Correa returned to racing in the 2021 FIA Formula 3 Championship with ART Grand Prix, scoring points and finishing 21st in the standings. He continued with ART Grand Prix in 2022, improving to thirteenth overall and achieving a podium finish at Zandvoort. Later that year, he made a return to Formula 2 with Van Amersfoort Racing, competing full-time in 2023 and scoring points in six races to finish nineteenth. In 2024, Correa switched to DAMS Lucas Oil but was replaced mid-season after the Baku round.
Endurance and Sports Car Racing (2022–Present)
In addition to his single-seater career, Correa has competed in endurance racing. In 2022, he joined Prema Powerteam for the European Le Mans Series, winning his first endurance race at the season finale in Portimão and helping his team secure the championship. In 2023, he raced in the FIA World Endurance Championship’s LMP2 category with Prema Racing, achieving two top-five finishes and finishing ninth in the standings.
Looking ahead, Correa is set to compete in the 2025 IMSA SportsCar Championship with United Autosports in the LMP2 category, expanding his endurance racing portfolio.
Current Team Era: HMD Motorsports (2025–Present)
Juan Manuel Correa joined HMD Motorsports for selected rounds of the 2025 Indy NXT season, starting at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. This move marks his entry into American open-wheel racing’s feeder series, aiming to build momentum in the North American racing scene. He is scheduled to join Cusick Morgan Motorsports for his first full Indy NXT season in 2026.
Driving Style and Strengths
Correa is known for his resilience and adaptability, demonstrated by his successful return to competitive racing following a life-threatening accident. His driving style combines technical precision with strategic racecraft, particularly on road and street circuits. His experience across multiple racing disciplines, including single-seaters and endurance racing, has honed his versatility and race management skills.
Notable Races and Milestones
Key milestones in Correa’s career include his podium finishes in Formula 2, his victorious endurance race in the European Le Mans Series, and his remarkable comeback after the 2019 Spa-Francorchamps accident. His debut in the FIA Formula 2 Championship and his transition to Indy NXT are also significant highlights.
Juan Manuel Correa Career Wins
Juan Manuel Correa has accumulated wins primarily in junior formula and endurance racing categories. His notable victory in the European Le Mans Series LMP2 category stands out as a major achievement in his career.
European Le Mans Series Highlights
Correa won his first endurance race during the 2022 European Le Mans Series finale at Portimão, contributing to Prema Powerteam’s championship title. This victory marked a significant milestone in his transition to endurance racing and showcased his capability in multi-class racing environments.
Other Wins & Performances
In his early single-seater career, Correa secured three wins in the 2016 Italian F4 Championship. Additionally, he claimed the Rotax Max Challenge Junior Championship in karting in 2013, underscoring his competitive pedigree from a young age.
Juan Manuel Correa Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Details regarding Juan Manuel Correa’s family background and any racing lineage are not publicly documented or verified.
Personal Life
Public information about Correa’s personal life, including marital status and family, is not available.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Juan Manuel Correa is competing in selected rounds of the Indy NXT series with HMD Motorsports, marking a new chapter in his racing career. His participation begins at the prestigious Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, where he aims to establish himself in the competitive field. The season represents a strategic step toward full-time competition in Indy NXT, with plans to join Cusick Morgan Motorsports for the 2026 season. Correa’s focus remains on building consistency and leveraging his diverse racing experience to achieve strong results in the American open-wheel racing ladder.
