The latest update on Juan Manuel Correa’s condition is offering some grounds for optimism, with the Formula 2 driver now able to breathe unassisted.

The 19 year old Ecuadorian-American racing driver Juan Manuel Correa remains in intensive care in London three weeks on from the crash in which he suffered serious injuries.

Racing for Charouz in Formula 2 at last month’s Belgian Grand Prix, he was involved in a high speed crash at the fearsome Radillion corner. A collision between himself and the BWT Arden of Anthoine Hubert claimed the life of the 22 year old French driver, while Correa was taken to hospital with serious leg and lung injuries.

While initially conscious in the days following the crash, Correa was placed into an induced coma in response to the extent of his lung injuries. This Saturday marks three weeks since the crash in Belgium and the most recent update from Correa’s parents Juan Carlos and Maria says the situation has improved slightly.

“As of today, Juan Manuel Correa has been removed from the ECMO machine, life support and taken out of induced coma. While this is great news and a major step in the right direction, he is still in a race against time.”

“Juan Manuel is conscious, but not fully yet awake. Doctors report that this will take a few days due to being in induced coma for more than two weeks. They have also stated that Juan Manuel Correa is fragile and still vulnerable medically speaking and that he remains in the Intensive Care Unit. His condition has been upgraded from critical to serious.”

“The medical priority for Juan Manuel now shifts from the lungs to the leg injuries that were sustained more than two weeks ago and have not been addressed since the initial emergency intervention the day of the incident. Doctors are in a race against time to perform a pending major surgery in order to minimize risk of irreversible injuries to his right lower extremity but can’t proceed until lungs are ready to withstand a lengthy operation.”

Additional details will be provided on Juan Manuel’s condition when available.

Correa’s place at Charouz has been filled for the remainder of the Formula 2 season, with Matevos Isaakyan taking his place for the Russian and Abu Dhabi rounds.