Correa seeking answers after “haunting” Aitken Spa crash

Williams Formula 1 reserve Jack Aitken sustained a broken collarbone and a fractured vertebra in a high-speed, multi-car accident at Eau Rouge in last weekend’s Spa 24 Hours, which also resulted in Ferrari factory driver Davide Rigon being hospitalised.

The crash occurred at the same section of the track where Anthoine Hubert was killed in a multi-car accident involving Correa during a Formula 2 race in 2019. Correa suffered severe injuries, almost lost his foot and had to undergo major reconstructive surgery on his right leg.

Having made a remarkable comeback to racing in FIA Formula 3 this year, Correa is preparing to return to Spa at the end of the month. It will be the first time he has raced at the Belgium track since his 2019 accident.

“First, and most importantly, I want say I am extremely happy that Jack, as well as the other racing drivers involved in the accident are recovering from their injuries,” said Correa in a statement.

“The accident occurred almost two years after my own accident at the same notorious Raidillon-Eau Rouge turn in the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, where I suffered serious injuries from which I am still recovering and the motorsport community tragically lost French driver Anthoine Hubert. The images of the crash are therefore particularly haunting.”

Aitken’s accident has re-ignited the debate about safety at the top of the blind crest, with Ferrari F1 test driver Callum Ilott - who competed in the 2019 F2 race - calling for changes to be made to Raidillon.

Correa said he is seeking answers from the FIA after raising several concerns about the dangers posed by that part of the circuit.

“Since my accident, I have raised various concerns with the FIA and organisers about track and driver safety,” he said. “I have offered to share information from my own experience.

“I have been seeking answers about what happened, why, and what steps the FIA and other stakeholders have taken to make safety improvements and to avoid another driver from suffering serious injury in similar circumstances.

“At this time discussions are ongoing with relevant stakeholders to try and resolve my concerns. I am confident those discussions will reach constructive conclusion and I will be in a better position to comment in the coming weeks.”

Speaking at last weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix, FIA race director Michael Masi insisted Spa is safe for F1 ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix later this month.

“There has been some works that have been undertaken at Spa in a number of areas, but the Spa circuit holds a current Grade 1,” he said.

“There are a few changes and improvements that made year-on-year, but I think the way that it is, it is safe from an FIA perspective.

“None of us like to see big incidents, and I’m just glad that the drivers are relatively okay. I’ve seen a couple of the media reports today and they are good and healthy which is the important part. They’ve got a recovery ahead of them, but that is the overall aspect there.”