Correa 'critical but stable' with new respiratory injury

Formula 2 driver Juan Manuel Correa's condition has deteriorated to 'critical but stable' since moving to a specialist Intensive Care Unit in London, his family has said in a statement. 

Correa suffered fractures to both of his legs and a minor spinal injury in a high-speed collision that claimed the life of Anthoine Hubert during the opening F2 race in Belgium last Saturday at Spa-Francorchamps. 

He underwent surgery in hospital in Liege before being transferred to a specialist ICU unit in the United Kingdom earlier this week to continue his treatment and recovery.

Correa's family has revealed that after arriving in London the 20-year-old had been diagnosed with 'Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome’ before falling into acute respiratory failure, which has resulted in him being placed in an "induced state of unconsciousness and under ECMO support."

The full statement read: "First of all, on behalf of our son we wish to thank everyone within and outside the motorsports community for the wonderful and caring get well wishes that we have received, as well as messages for a speedy recovery. We are confident that Juan Manuel will review them all himself once he is back in charge of his social media accounts.

"Honoring our son’s straight-to-the-point and honesty that characterizes him, we wish to update you on the status of his injuries and physical condition. As time has progressed, new complications have surfaced as a consequence of the massive impact he suffered Saturday in Belgium. On his arrival to London, Juan Manuel was diagnosed with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. This is an injury considered common in high impact accidents such as this one.

"Unfortunately, this injury resulted in Juan Manuel falling into Acute Respiratory Failure. Juan Manuel is currently in an Intensive Care Unit that specializes in respiratory injuries. At this point of time he is an in induced state of unconsciousness and under ECMO support. Juan Manuel is in critical but stable condition.

"We are confident that our son will surprise us like he always does with his tremendous fighting will and strength and will recover completely. At this time, we kindly request that our privacy and space be respected. As a family, we need to pull together and be 100% there for Juan Manuel.

"Maria and I wish to take this opportunity to give our condolences to the Hubert family for their loss. Our hearts are broken, and we can only imagine the pain this loss has brought them."