CAUSE OF DEATH: Dilano van’t Hoff has passed away in multi-car crash in Spa

Dilano van ‘t Hoff has passed away in multi-car crash in Spa.

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.

He contested the majority of last year’s FRECA series with the Dutch team, scoring his only podium at Barcelona in October.

His best result this year was a seventh position on the opening weekend of the series at Imola in April.

The second race at Spa was won by Prema driver Andrea Antonelli, while Tramnitz was classified second on count back.

FRECA and the Automobile Club d’Italia that sanctions the series, the circuit at Spa, and the Royal Automobile Club of Belgium and Stephane Ratel Organisation which jointly organise the 24 Hours all expressed their condolences to the van ‘t Hoff’s family, team and friends.

Formula 1 and the FIA have paid tribute to Van’ t Hoff at the Austrian Grand Prix.

“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,” said Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.

“Along with the entire motorsport community, our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”

An FIA statement read: “The FIA extends its condolences to the family and friends of Dilano van ‘t Hoff and to the MP Motorsport Team following the incident today during the Formula Regional European Championship event at Spa-Francorchamps.”