F1 world champion Max Verstappen demands drivers receive “better protection” at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit following the “incredibly sad” death of 18-year-old Dutch driver Dilano van ‘T Hoff
World champion Max Verstappen called for changes at the Belgian circuit of Spa-Francorchamps after the “unacceptable” death there on Saturday of an 18-year-old Dutch driver.
Dilano van ‘t Hoff died in a European Regional Formula Championship race when Irish driver Adam Fitzgerald picked him up at high speed in wet conditions, an incident reminiscent of the death of Anthoine Hubert in a Formula Two race on the track curvy four years ago.
Verstappen said he did not know his compatriot personally, but added: “He had the same dream as all of us growing up.” We have to see what we can do to protect people because what happened today was not acceptable.’
Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll went further to say motorsport is ‘playing with fire’ unless modifications are made to the Eau Rouge/Raidillon complex that becomes Kemmel Straight, the scene of yesterday’s death.
With Formula One due to take place in Spa later in the month, the Canadian said: ‘The story of the day is not the sprint here. We lost a young driver at Spa today. My thoughts are with him and his family.
F1 world champion Max Verstappen (pictured) has spoken out following the tragic death of 18-year-old Dutch driver Dilano van ‘T Hoff.
Van ‘T Hoff died on Saturday after crashing at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium
‘It’s not fair what happened and that corner needs to be looked at and changed because we’ve lost two young talents in the span of five years.
“Every time we go through there we risk our lives and today we saw that something bad happened, and it’s not right.”
The runoff area in Raidillon has been redeveloped in response to Hubert’s death, but Stroll believes it needs a tougher redevelopment. “It’s not enough,” he said. We discussed it, but then it’s over. Without change, they’d be playing with fire again in a couple of weeks. And it’s not just us. Children F2, children F3. All.’
A minute’s silence was observed on the grid ahead of Saturday’s Formula Two race. F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali attended with a stern expression.
Van ‘T Hoff appeared to turn in the rain before another driver collided with him.
Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll insisted the Spa circuit must be ‘reviewed and changed’
