BREAKING NEWS: Dutch driver Dilano Van ‘T Hoff, 18, dies in a racing car crash at Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium during the Formula Regional European Championship
- FRECA has confirmed the death of 18-year-old driver Dilano Van ‘T Hoff
- The Dutch driver was involved in an accident in the second race at Spa-Francorchamps
- After the accident, tributes poured out for the teenager from across the sport
The Formula Regional European Championship has confirmed the death of 18-year-old Dutch driver Dilano van ‘t Hoff following a crash at Spa-Francorchamps.
A full statement read: “Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine sadly announces the death of MP Motorsport driver Dilano Van ‘T Hoff.” The incident happened during the second race of Spa-Francorchamps.
“We would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family, team and friends.”
“The Royal Automobile Club of Belgium, Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps and SRO Motorsports Group, together with Alpine and ACI, extend their sincere condolences to the driver’s family, team and friends.”
The shocking incident happened during a wet final race at the Belgian circuit which saw the teenager involved in an accident. A video The course of the accident has surfaced on social media.
18-year-old Dutch driver Dilano Van ‘T Hoff has died in a crash at Spa-Francorchamps
Van ‘T Hoff appeared to skid in the rain before another driver crashed into him
Footage showed the MP Motorsport driver losing control and skidding due to the rainy conditions on the track before another driver collided with him.
Van’t Hoff drove his second full race of the season in FRECA. He was on the podium once in his debut appearance at Barcelona and finished third at that event in 2022.
The tributes for the young driver are already pouring in, and Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali writes: “We are so sad to learn of the death of Dilano van ‘t Hoff today in Spa-Francorchamps.” Dilano died in the realization of his dream of reaching the top of motorsport.
“Along with the entire motorsport community, our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”
Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz wrote on social media: “Terrible news from Spa.” We have just learned that Dilano Van’t Hoff has passed away after a serious accident in Formula Regional.
“It is an extremely sad day for the entire motorsport family and my thoughts and condolences go out to his family and friends.” RIP Dilano’
In Austria, too, in the run-up to the F2 race, a minute’s silence was observed on the starting grid following the news.
Spa-Francorchamps was also the track where Formula 2 driver Anthoine Hubert died in a horrific 170mph collision at the 2019 Belgian Grand Prix.
He was just emerging from the well-known Eau Rouge section of the Spa high-speed circuit when he was believed to be involved in an accident that had occurred seconds earlier.
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