Losing a loved one is never easy. And when that loved one is a motorsport driver—competing at speeds so fast and dangerous—you’re practically always at the edge of your seat, anxiously hoping that wasn’t the last time you watched them compete. Sadly, the 1st of July was a day that Dilano Van ‘t Hoff’s family and loved ones would’ve hoped would never come because that was the last time he got into a racecar to compete, to fight, and to follow his passion, but he never got out. And the motorsport world lost another young driver who departed too soon.

The 18-year-old Dutch driver was racing for MP Motorsport in FRECA, the fourth round of which was held at Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium. In the second race of the weekend, the wet-weather conditions were terrible. Undrivable even. But the race went on. Due to the immense spray, Van ‘t Hoff spun in the middle of the track while approaching the Kemmel Straight, and Adam Fitzgerald, who couldn’t see him through the haze, crashed right into Dilano—the impact killing him on the spot. 

While he passed away doing what he loved, he left behind someone he loved, too. And that someone loved him as much in return. Two days after the tragic incident, the Dutch prodigy’s girlfriend, Katrina Coronell, wrote him a heartfelt message, a love letter, a goodbye. She thanked him for everything he’d done for her and introduced his racing world to her. She wrote, “I’m grateful for you loving me until the end, I’m grateful that my last words for you on the grid were ‘i love you,’ and I’m grateful that you fulfilled your promise telling me that you’ll love me till death.” As heartbreaking and emotional as the message is, it’s a testament to how much Dilano loved and was loved in return. She ended the note by saying, “Goodbye, my beautiful man, I’ll see you in the next life, my angel.”

Read More: “Shouldn’t Happen Again”: Following Tragic Death of Dilano Van ‘t Hoff, Fernando Alonso Issues Contradictory Solutions to Lance Stroll to Avoid Such Horrific Outcomes

The motorsport industry has seen one too many drivers losing their lives after accidents such as Van ‘t Hoff’s. And like always, it united to express its condolences to Dilano’s family and loved ones.

The F1 community pays tribute to Dilano Van ‘t Hoff

Before the Austrian GP on Sunday, F1 drivers, teams, and everyone on the track observed a minute of silence for Dilano, for the life that was gone too soon. When news broke about the tragic accident, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali spoke on behalf of the F1 community, saying, “Along with the entire motorsport community, our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”

Max Verstappen, who was Dilano’s idol, shared his thoughts too. As quoted by The Guardian, he said, “It’s incredibly sad. I didn’t know him personally, he was an up-and-coming Dutch racing driver. He had the same dreams we had when we were that age wanting to get to F1. It is incredibly sad for the whole family and the team MP Motorsport.” He posted a message on Twitter as well.

Lewis Hamilton shared F1’s post about the demise in his story and wrote, “Heartbreaking. My thoughts are with his family.”

Lando Norris posted a picture of the Dutch prodigy on Instagram on Saturday, captioning it, “Racing for you today. Rest in Peace, Dilano Van ‘t Hoff ❤️”

The death of Dilano Van ‘t Hoff shocked the entire motorsport community and brought to light many burning questions about safety in the industry. A driver’s death has far-reaching consequences, the impact on their family and loved ones being the most hard-hitting. What more does the motorsport industry need to do to ensure accidents like this don’t happen again?

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