Dutch driver Dilano van ‘T Hoff, 18, dies in racing car crash at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium at the Formula Regional European Championship – as two-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen leads tributes
Formula Regional European Championship have 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 Spa-Francorchamps race 2.
‘We want to express our sincere condolences to the family, team and friends.
‘Royal Automobile Club of Belgium, the Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps and SRO Motorsports Group join Alpine and ACI in expressing their sincerest condolences to the driver’s family, team and friends.’
The shocking incident occurred during a wet final race at the Belgian circuit, where the teenager was involved in a crash. A video of the accident has appeared on social media.
Formula Regional European Championship confirmed the teenagers death via a statement
Footage showed that, due to the rainy conditions on the track, the MP Motorsport driver lost control and span out before another driver collided into him.
Van’t Hoff was in his second full season racing in FRECA. In his first, he took one podium at Barcelona, finishing third at that event in 2022.
Tributes for the young driver have already begun flooding in, with F1 chief Stefano Domenicali writing: ‘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.
‘Along with the entire motorsport community, our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.’
A moment of silence was also held on the grid in Austria ahead of the F2 race following the news.
Van’t Hoff’s team, MP Motorsport, wrote: ‘MP Motorsport is deeply saddened to confirm that our driver, Dilano van’t Hoff has passed away as a result of a crash during the second race of the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine at Spa Francorchamps.