Dilano Van't Hoff : Is Spa Becoming Too Dangerous?

Who was Dilano Van't Hoff?

Born 26th July 2004 in Dordrecht Netherlands, Dilano begun his career in Motortsport by karting aged 11.

He competed in SKUSA Supernationals, finished third in IAME Euro Series and IAME International Final in 2018, As well as completed his first season of the European Championship 6th that same year.

The next year the dutchman came 5th in that series, this time in the OK class (Original Kart). To finish his career in Karts, he won the Trofeo Delle Industrie with Forza Racing.

A Progressing Career

Van't Hoff made his single-seater debut in the 2021 Formula 4 UAE Championship with Xcel Motorsport.

Despite stalling at the start of the first race, the Dutch driver was able to finish second and went on to win the two races that followed, both of which he began from pole position.

By winning two more races at the following round at Yas Marina, Van't Hoff was able to widen the distance between himself and his closest competitor, Enzo Trulli.

Van't Hoff would lose his lead over Trulli following a second victory at round three in Dubai due to a disqualification in the penultimate race that cost him another podium finish and more significant championship points.

In the end Dilano would lose by one point in the final round.

Van't Hoff signed with MP Motorsport in the F4 Spanish Championship for his primary campaign.

His first two victories came in the series' opening race at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps.

After that, Van't Hoff embarked on an impressive run of six consecutive podium finishes, including three victories and a triple podium at Algarve.

After the first-place finisher Daniel Macia received a penalty for exceeding track restrictions, he went on to win the sprint race at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo.

He then finished third in the third race. Van't Hoff won the title after completing a triple trick of pole positions and victories in the season's last event.

History repeating itself

On the 1st of July 2023 (just twenty-five days before Dilanos 19th Birthday), Van't Hoff lost his life in a multi-car crash at Spa-Francorchamps in heavy rain conditions while racing in the Formula Regional European Championship.

When entering the Kemmel straight, Van't Hoff lost control, and Fitzgerald's car slammed into the side of his car.

"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. Dilano has been a part of our racing family since his motorsport debut with MP back in 2021." - MP Motorsport released this statement soon after the confirmed loss of Dilano.

This tragic death brought back memories of other talented drivers who lost their lives at Spa, Such as Anthoine Hubert who passed away after a scarily similar crash at the circuit four years ago.

The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, which hosts the F1 Belgian Grand Prix as well as the Spa 24 Hours and 1000 km Spa endurance races, is a favourite of many racing fans and drivers because of its incredible speed and twisty, uphill terrain layout.

Since it opened in 1922, the circuit has claimed the lives of 49 drivers and 4 race officials. A number that I hope it stays at.

In 1969, the Belgian Grand Prix was cancelled as drivers boycotted the race due to the safety concerns over the danger of the track.

A track inspection was done by the legendary F1 driver Jackie Stewart who demanded changes for a safer track (although the track owners didn't want to pay for it).

Sadly, These efforts wouldn't pervent others from losing their lives. Fifty four years later, we are still debating and discussing the safety over this circuit.

What Can Be Done?

Motorsport in general is dangerous, it's unfathomable speed and high risking corners puts an audience on the edge of their seats.

But it shouldn't result in anyone dying, from drivers, to marshals and even fans...

Lance stroll made it clear during interviews after the Saturday Sprint race in Austria that this track needed to change.

"That corner has to change. It's way too dangerous and every time we go through there it's an accident waiting to happen. Today it did happen again and we lost a young kid. It's not fair."- Sincere concern from the Canadian.

Stroll's words seemed to be how all the drivers felt after hearing the awful news, but it begs the question of whats the solution ?

How can the FIA and the Circuit stop a repeat of this incident?

Most think the track should be changed/modified (mainly at Eau Rouge) but two time World Champion Max Verstappen says otherwise.

"It's easy to blame the track but I also think looking at how wet it was and these kind of things, we need to look at what we can do in the future to better protect drivers."- Verstappens thoughts about changing the track.

This statement I do agree with, if red flagging/cancelling a race sooner once heavy rain starts to appear, I really do think this will drastically reduce the chances of a crash.

Time and time again the FIA take too long to make important decisions, such as red flagging a race when conditions are too poor.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has faith the FIA will look into the situation and find a solution to Francorchamps looming danger.

"I'm sure the FIA will look into it and see what we need to improve...We all cherish Spa because of the track that it is but is there something we need to look at?"- Wolff stated.

Will these recent deaths put fans off Attending Spa?

As someone who is supposed to be attending this years F1 Grand Prix at Spa- Francorchamps, I worry for seeing a fatal incident play out in front of me.

Yes, we've had years were everything goes smoothly, an entertaining race with no causalities, but its definately going to be something thats in the back of my mind while attending.

However, I don't think fans will deter from attending this race. Its an iconic track that fans desperately try to get tickets for, especially to sit at the top of EauRouge. I believe it's up to the Circuit to make these safe changes.

Money over matter

Some say its best to cancel this race, we shouldn't be racing on a track that continues to claim many young lives.

But this is a very famous track that fans love, Formula One won't take Spa off the Calender because of how much revenue it rakes in.

With Grand Prix tickets consistly on the up, F1 want to keep this race. Formula One has always put money first when it comes to this sport.

It's why sometimes we race in places that only recently made it legal for women to drive.

Dilano Van't Hoff should be remembered as a promising 18 year old driver who had the talent to go far into his racing career.

Lets not make his death be in vain, may this be the last death we see at Spa-Francorchamps.