F1 News: Spa-Francorchamps Under Scrutiny After Death of Dilano Van 'T Hoff

The motorsport world was saddened today after it was confirmed that the young Dutch driver, Dilano Van 'T Hoff, died during an incident during race 2 of the Spa-Francorchamps event of the Formula Regional European Championship.

The world of racing were quick to send their tributes to the 18-year old, his family, and his friends. But now eyes have turned to the track, specifically the famous Raidillon section, and the entrance to the famous corner, Eau Rouge.

It's no secret that spinning on this section of track will result in a meeting with the barrier. Both the lower and upper section of the track is flat out in a modern F1 car, too, only adding to the danger. The run-off areas have been improved over the years, but as we've seen today, the track is fatally dangerous, especially in poor conditions.

Now, after the passing of Dilano, the track is being called into question again by fans of the sport.

The Editor in Chief of The Race posted to Twitter:

"Unfortunately this can’t be classed as an isolated incident. Eau Rouge/Raidillon is an iconic piece of track, but is it fit for purpose in modern motorsport?

"Right now the odds of disaster occurring there are too high."

He continued:

"The weather played a huge impact. Surprised they were even racing in those conditions given the type of cars and the experience of the drivers involved."

Another Twitter user added:

"When will we realise that Spa is already dangerous for F1 let alone the Feeder Series? how many more lives will Eau Rouge have to take for us to prioritise the lives of the drivers instead of mere entertainment? An eighteen-year-old should not face death while doing what he loves."

when will we realise that Spa is already dangerous for F1 let alone the Feeder Series? how many more lives will Eau Rouge have to take for us to prioritise the lives of the drivers instead of mere entertainment? an eighteen-year-old should not face death while doing what he loves
— emi (@maraneIlo) July 1, 2023

Another posted:

"I'm sorry but how many crashes are we just going to allow to happen? Despite the changes in Eau Rouge it keeps happening, I don't care how classic it is, GET RID OF IT."

I'm sorry but how many crashes are we just going to allow to happen? Despite the changes in Eau Rouge it keeps happening, I don't care how classic it is, GET RID OF IT https://t.co/5eh5Ei2GAO
— inphratic (@inphratic) July 1, 2023

Another user blamed the race control, not the track layout itself:

"VSC should be mandatory in all categories that race at Spa and is immediately deployed the moment a crash happens through Eau Rouge. Almost every fatal crash is a result of a car being stranded at the start of Kemmel straight and drivers coming through are unaware."

There will always be danger in motorsport, but it's down to race control to mitigate that danger with the resources they have available to them. I have a feeling this won't be the last thing we hear from this nightmare of a day.