Dutch teenage driver Dilano van ’t Hoff killed in Spa-Francorchamps crash

The 18-year-old Dutch driver Dilano van ’t Hoff has died as a result of a crash at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium. He was competing for MP Motorsport in a race of the Formula Regional European Championship and was caught in a multiple car accident during a restart in wet conditions. In very poor visibility due to spray it appears he spun and was hit at high speed by at the start of the Kemmel straight by the RP Motorsport car driven by Adam Fitzgerald.

The incident occurred four years after Anthoine Hubert was killed in a multiple-car crash in an F2 race on the same section of the track. Van ’t Hoff’s MP team issued a statement. “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,” it read.

F2 drivers and officials stand for a minute’s silence at the Red Bull Ring to commemorate the death of Dilano van’t Hoff at a race at Spa-Francorchamps. Photograph: Clive Rose/Getty Images

“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.”

Formula One’s CEO, Stefano Domenicali, said: “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 motor sport. Along with the entire motorsport community, our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”

Teams posted messages of sympathy on Twitter. Red Bull wrote: “Our hearts go out to Dilano’s family, friends, and the larger motorsport community. Pausing to reflect on the tragic passing of this young man, far too soon.” Mercedes said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Dilano van ’t Hoff following today’s tragic incident,” while McLaren said they were deeply saddened.

There was a minute’s silence before the Formula Two race at the Red Bull Ring, in the buildup to F1’s sprint race.

This story will be updated