Lance Stroll demands adjustment of ‘dangerous’ Eau Rouge on Spa circuit after Dilano van ‘t Hoff’s death | formula 1

“Extremely sad to hear the news about Dilano today…,” Verstappen writes on his Twitter account. “I want to express my condolences to Dilano’s family and loved ones.” Fellow driver Carlos Sainz also made himself heard. “Terrible news from Spa,” he writes on Twitter. “It’s an extremely sad day for the motorsport family. My thoughts are with his family and friends.’

“Incredibly sad day with the death of Dilano at Spa-Franchorchamps,” writes Dutch former Formula 1 driver Giedo van der Garde. ‘Rest in peace.’

Formula 1 driver George Russell has also been touched by the terrible news. “I am deeply saddened by the death of Dilano at Spa. My thoughts go out to his family and loved ones.” Lando Norris writes that he will ride today with Van ‘t Hoff in his mind. Kevin Magnussen shows an image of a broken heart.

MP Motorsport issued an official statement about the fatal outcome of the crash on Saturday early afternoon. “We are deeply saddened to confirm that our driver, Dilano van ‘t Hoff, has passed away as a result of a crash. We are devastated by this loss of one of our greatest Dutch talents, who has given our team so much energy over the years he raced with us. Dilano has been part of our racing family since his motorsport debut with MP in 2021.”

Canadian Formula 1 driver Lance Stroll thinks that’s the famous corner Eau Rouge on the Spa-Francorchamps circuit must be adjusted. “That really needs to be looked at, because that corner is now much too dangerous,” said the Aston Martin driver after his fourth place in the sprint race at the Grand Prix of Austria. “It is a tragic day for motorsport. I want everyone today to think about what happened there today. We lost two youngsters in that place in the space of four years,” said Stroll, referring to the fatal accident of Frenchman Anthoine Hubert in 2019. “We say it every year, that corner is too dangerous and it really has to be change. Every time we drive through that corner, an accident is lurking.”

Van ‘t Hoff crashed in almost the same place as Hubert; after Eau Rouge follows the nod Raidillon and drive the cars Kemmel on, the long straight to Les Combes. After Hubert’s death, the circuit has widened the exit lanes and moved the guardrails back, but the corner combination has remained the same and, especially in the rain, is life-threatening because the drivers can hardly see anything due to the splashing water.

Max Verstappen also referred to this when he said after his victory in the sprint race. “We really need to see what we can improve on. I’ve seen footage of that race. It was very wet, so they shouldn’t have restarted that race. You couldn’t see through that spray. Guys from the backfield go full throttle into that corner, but they see nothing. So we should do something to reduce that spray and at least increase safety.”

Alpine was also hit hard. ‘We are deeply saddened by the death of Dilano van ‘t Hoff. We extend our condolences to the family, loved ones, friends and MP Motorsport.”

Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali was also shocked. “We are so sad to hear of the passing of Dilano van ‘t Hoff today at Spa-Francorchamps. He died chasing his dream of reaching the pinnacle of motorsport. Together with the entire motorsport community, our thoughts are with his family and loved ones,” the Italian wrote on Twitter.

Tire supplier Pirelli wishes the family and loved ones of Van ‘t Hof a lot of strength. “We are deeply saddened by the passing of a driver pursuing his dream of climbing the motorsport ladder.”

In Formula 2, a minute’s silence was held prior to racing for the death of Van ‘t Hoff. This will also happen in the sprint race in Formula 1 later this afternoon.

There were not only statements of support from the motorsport world. “Shocked by the sad news that the only 18-year-old Dordt resident Dilano van ‘t Hoff has died while practicing his sport, his passion,” Dordt mayor Wouter Kolff writes on Twitter. “I am very sorry for his family, friends and other loved ones, such as his colleagues from motorsport.”

Things went horribly wrong this afternoon on the soaking wet circuit in the Ardennes. Van ‘t Hoff lost control of his wheel and was hit hard from behind by another driver. The Dutchman, who competes in the Formula regional European Championship, slid meters over the circuit. Help was of no avail.

View the reactions of the Formula 1 teams to the death of Van ‘t Hoff here: