Damon Hill calls for FIA to scrap wet races after Dilano van ‘t Hoff dies in Spa

F1 preview: A lap of the Austrian Grand Prix

Damon Hill has suggested motorsport bosses could consider making major rules changes and stop racing in rainy conditions after an 18-year-old junior driver was killed on Saturday. Dutch star Dilano van ‘t Hoff died after an accident in the Formula Regional European Championship race at Spa-Francorchamps.

The 18-year-old was struck at high-speed at the start of the Kemmel Straight as heavy rain reduced visibility. It comes just four years after F2 star Anthoine Hubert was killed in a Formula Two race just metres earlier on the exit of Eau Rouge.

Speaking ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix, Hill suggested the FIA will be considering factors to improve safety. However, he warned the only way to prevent serious incidents would be to stop racing in wet conditions.

He told Sky Sports F1: “Anytime you’ve got a long straight and wet conditions this can happen. I was watching the F3 race earlier and they were going up to turn three, the guys at the back would have no idea what was going on in front of them.

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“Wet conditions really are the worst contributor to this, not being able to see where you’re going and it sounds like he was hit the same way Anthoine [Hubert] was hit. That’s a very large impact.

“What can we do about it? Stop racing in the wet, only race when you can see or make cars indestructible in that way and make it more possible for drivers to survive. The FIA will be looking into all of those factors.

“I was guilty as anyone, we were watching the F3 race and going ‘come on we want to see a wet race’. We want to see wet racing. It’s exciting and action-packed but unfortunately it does conceal this terrible risk of something like that happening.”

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F1 stars have sent messages of support to Van ‘t Hoff’s family with compatriot Max Verstappen leading the tributes. He posted on social media: Extremely sad to hear the news about Dilano today. I want to send my condolences to Dilano’s family and loved ones. Rest in peace.”

George Russell added: “I am truly saddened to hear of Dilano’s passing today in Spa. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones.” A statement from the series read: “Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine sadly announces the death of MP Motorsport driver Dilano Van’ t Hoff.

“The incident happened during Spa-Francorchamps Race 2. We want to express our sincere condolences to the family, team and friends. Royal Automobile Club of Belgium, the Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps, and SRO Motorsports Group join Alpine and ACI in expressing their sincerest condolences to the driver’s family, team and friends.”

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