Dylano van't Hoff crashed in Spa-Francorchamps due to rain. Photo: Instagram
Max Verstappen called the Belgian Spa – the Francorchamps circuit will be changed after the death of another Dutch rider Dilano van 't Hoff was called “unnecessary”.
The 18-year-old rider has died while participating in an FIA Formula Regional Championship when the Incident occurred in wet conditions. It is known that the accident occurred on the section of the route around the fast right turn in Raidilon and the following Kemmel straight.
Verstappen, speaking after winning the sprint race at the Austrian Grand Prix, said it was “incredibly sad.” .
“I didn't know him personally, he was a promising Dutch driver. He had the same dreams that we had when we were that age, about wanting to get into F1.”
“It's easy to blame the track, but looking at how wet it was, and such things that we have to look at it in the future, to see what we can do better to protect drivers, because I think today was unnecessary, obviously.”
The multi-driver accident occurred when Tim Tramnitz lost control of his car at the top of Rydillon as the race resumed after a safety car period. There were other collisions on the pitch, and it is believed that Van't Hoff's car was on the track when he was hit by another vehicle at high speed.
Van't Hoff's death comes almost four years after the death of French Formula 2 driver Antoine Hubert at the same circuit and in the same location. It also resulted in serious injuries to fellow driver Juan Manuel Correa, who is racing in Formula 2 at the Red Bull Ring for Van Amersfoort Racing this weekend. This is his first full season in the championship since that accident.
The F2 community paid tribute to Van't Hoff this morning. Photo: Getty Images/Clive Rose
Spa-Francorchamps is one of the most historic motorsport circuits and is especially loved by racers. However, the complex high speed corners at the beginning of the lap in recent years continue to lead to huge accidents and injury to drivers. Drivers began to doubt the layout. Verstappen said the sport should “consider these situations”.
Lance Stroll also questioned the track layout in Belgium: “This corner needs to be looked at and changed because we have lost two young talents in about five years,” said the Aston Martin driver. “We are going there in a few weeks, and every time we pass there, we risk our lives. Today we saw that something bad happened. This is wrong.”
In 2021, two W-series riders, Ayla Agren and Beitske Fisser, were hospitalized after a horrific six-car crash at the top of Raidilon. British-Korean driver Jack Aitken was also seriously injured in a car accident that same year.
These failures have led to calls to change the layout on this section of the track. Last year, as part of a €80 million renovation of the track, the runway at Raidillon was extended for safety reasons. Other settings have also been made for security reasons.
Several other teams paid tribute to the Dutchman, and Formula 2 held a moment of silence in memory of Van 't Hoff, who won the 2021 F4 Spanish Championship, ahead of the start of their sprint race at Red Bull. Ring.
“My thoughts are with Dilano van 't Hoff's family and friends following today's tragic incident at the European Regional Championships at Spa,” Mercedes said in a statement.
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