Dilano van ’t Hoff sticks with MP for second-year FRECA challenge
Exciting Dutch talent Dilano van ’t Hoff will remain with MP Motorsport for a second assault on the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA). The 2021 Spanish Formula 4 champion aims to bounce back from a tough rookie season cruelly interrupted by injury. The Dutchman is the first driver to be announced for MP’s three-car FRECA line-up.
Van ’t Hoff has been on MP’s books since the start of his single-seater career, concluding his debut season in motor racing as the runaway 2021 Spanish Formula 4 champion. Immediately moving up to FRECA as one of the hottest new prospects around, the 18-year-old from Dordrecht saw his first full year in the category blighted by a shoulder injury that effectively sidelined him for six rounds of the season. On his return, however, Van ’t Hoff demonstrated his raw pace by taking a strong third at Barcelona. With the winter period behind him allowing the Dutchman to fully recuperate, Van ‘t Hoff is looking ahead to the new season with fresh confidence.
“I’m very grateful to MP for sticking with me through the bad times”, said Van ’t Hoff. “They have a reputation as one of the best teams in single-seater racing but that doesn’t necessarily translate into cold-hearted decision-making. Instead, they continue to cherish their family atmosphere and show that they can win by caring. We’ve been winners together in 2021, and I’m aiming to repay their faith in me by returning to the form that is familiar to the team. Last year’s setback has made me mentally stronger, helping me to be fully prepared for the 2023 FRECA season. I’m aiming for the Dutch team with their Dutch driver to hit the headlines!”
“Last year, it was easy for us to re-sign Dilano on the back of his thrilling season in Spanish F4, but despite his unfortunate injury curtailing his rookie FRECA season we didn’t lose an ounce of confidence in his abilities”, said MP Motorsport’s team principal, Sander Dorsman. “We’ve only had to look back on our 2021 season to remind us of the exciting talent that he is, and his Barcelona comeback drive in October last year proved that he is capable of great things in FRECA. So we’re happy to welcome him back, and together, we will show the world what we’re made of. Let’s go racing!”
Van 't Hoff made his definitive breakthrough in karts with third places in the 2018 IAME Euro Series and IAME International Final for X30 Junior karts while also making his mark in the various CIK-FIA and WSK OK Junior championships. In 2019, Van ’t Hoff stepped up to OK karts, with highlights including a fifth place in the European Championship. At karting’s CIK-FIA world level, he added a 14th place in 2020. In his first year in single-seaters, Van ’t Hoff narrowly missed out on the title in the UAE F4 winter series but then proceeded to claim the 2021 Spanish F4 crown with a dominant season, racking up ten wins, 16 podiums, nine poles and six fastest laps. Van ’t Hoff then tested the FRECA waters in a string of late-season race outings in 2021 before embarking on his first full year in the category.
