The 18-year-old MP Motorsport driver, Dilano Van‘t Hoff, was competing in a morning race at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit. It was held prior to the 24 Hours of Spa race later Saturday, 1 July 2023.
The Dutch racing driver for MP Motorsport in the Formula Regional European Championship was killed as a result of a violent multi-car incident during a race at Spa-Francorchamps.
The incident occurred during the final race of the weekend amidst wet conditions. Consequently, the race on Saturday had to be stopped after the collision.
Dilano Van‘t Hoff Cause of Death
During the second race at the circuit in Belgium on Saturday morning, can’t Hoff was collected in a multi-car crash that occurred on the long Kemmel straight — a high-speed section of the course — during a restart in wet conditions for the packed crowd.
High spray and poor visibility appeared to be the contributing factors to the crash which resulted in Van’t Hoff being hit broadside at high speed by another car.
According to reports, with poor visibility and treacherous conditions, Van’t Hoff spanned at Raidillon and collided at full speed with Adam Fitzgerald’s car at the very start of the Kemmel Straight.
Van’t Hoff made his debut in the Formula Regional European Championship in September 2021, racing for MP Motorsport on the Circuit Ricardo Tormo as a guest driver.
Formula 1 and fans express their condolences on social media.
MP Motorsport, the team Dilano van ‘t Hoff raced for, confirmed the devastating news in a statement of their own. They mourned the loss of this young Dutch talent, emphasizing the energy and vitality he brought to the team throughout his racing career with them. MP Motorsport expressed its sincere condolences to Dilano’s family, loved ones, and all team members who lost not only a driver but also a cherished friend.
Formula One’s CEO, Stefano Domenicali, said: “We are so sad to learn of the passing of Dilano van ’t Hoff today at Spa-Francorchamps. Dilano died in pursuit of his dream of reaching the pinnacle of motorsport. Along with the entire motorsport community, our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”
Social media was thereafter flooded with messages of sympathy and love for the sportsman’s near and dear ones. A minute’s silence was held before the start of the main 24 Hours of Spa race.
“We are so sad to learn of the passing of Dilano van ‘t Hoff today at Spa-Francorchamps. Dilano died in pursuit of his dream to reach the pinnacle of motorsport,” read a statement by F1 CEO Stefano Dominicali.
Dilano Van‘t Hoff previous accidents
Dilano Van’t Hoff, who won the 2021 Spanish F4 championship, becomes the second driver to die at Spa in the past four years. In 2019, F2 driver Anthoine Hubert was killed in a similar accident at the Eau Rouge corner, the same section of the course where Van’t Hoff’s crash occurred.
Moreover, two years ago, six drivers from the all-female W Series needed medical checks following a heavy crash during a qualifying session on the same track.
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