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Formula Regional European driver Dilano van’t Hoff has died as a result of a crash during a wet race at Spa-Francorchamps.
The Dutchman, just under a month away from turning 19, was caught up in a multi-car crash during a late restart in the second race of the three-race Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine round, taking place in support of the Spa 24 Hours endurance race.
Visibility was poor due to spray throughout the race, and the incident was not caught on the FRECA broadcast – which instead had focused on title contender Tim Tramnitz spinning out of second place coming out of Raidillon.
But a much more severe incident took place mere metres behind, with footage posted on social media suggesting MP Motorsport driver van’t Hoff had spun and was hit at full speed by Adam Fitzgerald at the start of the Kemmel Straight.
Team statement
Spa-Francorchamps, 1 July 2023MP 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. pic.twitter.com/IWvS0fY1bs
— MP Motorsport (@OfficialMPteam) July 1, 2023
“We are devastated at the loss of one of our brightest Dutch talents, who brought so much energy to our team during the years he raced with us,” read the MP team’s statement.
“Dilano has been a part of our racing family since his motorsport debut with MP back in 2021
“We offer our sincere condolences to Dilano’s family and his loved ones, and are in full support of them and our team members who have lost not only a driver but a friend as well.”
The RPM team that fields Fitzgerald said he was in a stable condition.
“Everyone at RPM is deeply saddened to hear the news that Dilano has passed away due to an incident in Race 2 today at Spa,” an RPM statement read.
“We send heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and everyone at MP Motorsport.
“We would like to wish Adam all the best over the next few months with his recovery. He is currently in a stable condition in hospital.
“Rest in Peace Dilano.”
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said the series was “sad to learn” of Van’t Hoff’s passing while “in pursuit of his dream to reach the pinnacle of motorsport”.
The fatal accident comes around four years after Anthoine Hubert perished in a Formula 2 multi-car crash in the same section of the track.
Van’t Hoff had made his single-seater debut in 2021, finishing second by just one point to Jarno Trulli’s son Enzo in the Formula 4 United Arab Emirates winter series.
That same year he would become the dominant champion in Spanish Formula 4 and ran a handful of races in Formula Regional – ahead of a full-time switch the following year.
Having stayed with the MP team that took him to the Spanish F4 crown, he placed 19th in what was effectively his rookie season, scoring a podium at Barcelona.
