The Alpine F1 team is set to honor the memories of racing icons Anthoine Hubert and Dilano van ‘t Hoff during a poignant tribute at Spa-Francorchamps this week. This annual remembrance, led by driver Pierre Gasly, serves as a heartfelt acknowledgment of the lives lost in tragic racing incidents.
As the team prepares for the Belgian Grand Prix, they will once again host the ‘Run for Anthoine,’ a special event aimed at paying homage to both Hubert, who tragically passed away in 2019, and van ‘t Hoff, who lost his life in 2023. This year’s run is scheduled for Thursday evening, July 16, and will invite participants from the F1, F2, and F3 paddocks to walk or run the iconic circuit.
The dangers of motorsport, particularly at the historic Spa-Francorchamps, were starkly highlighted in 2019 when Hubert, a promising 22-year-old F2 driver, was involved in a catastrophic multi-car crash. The incident left fellow racer Juan Manuel Correa with severe injuries and resulted in Hubert’s untimely death shortly after the collision. Following this tragedy, Formula 2 permanently retired Hubert’s driver number, 19, as a mark of respect.
In a statement, Alpine expressed their commitment to honoring Hubert’s legacy, saying, “The team will once again pay tribute to Anthoine upon their return to Spa.” The event will feature a moment of remembrance at Eau Rouge for Hubert and another at Kemmel Straight for van ‘t Hoff, who died during a Formula Regional European Championship race under treacherous weather conditions just four years later.
Gasly, a close friend of Hubert, has taken the lead in organizing this emotional gathering. Reflecting on the significance of the event, he shared, “There is also the more emotional side of returning to Spa year-on-year as I, amongst many others, remember Anthoine.” This year marks the fourth installment of the tribute run, which has become a cherished tradition for those who knew Hubert and want to honor his memory.
The motorsport community continues to grapple with the loss of young talent, as van ‘t Hoff’s tragic accident at the same corner where Hubert fell victim to fate serves as a somber reminder of the sport’s inherent risks. As fans and fellow racers come together to commemorate these two remarkable drivers, the question lingers: how can the sport continue to evolve in the name of safety while honoring those who have given so much?
