Welcome to the Racing for Dilano foundation
about us
Built on resilience. Driven by purpose.
Honouring the legacy of Dilano van ’t Hoff.
IN MEMORY OF A REMARKABLE TALENT
Racing for Dilano wasn’t born out of grief but out of what came after:
a commitment to guiding young athletes with structure, expertise, and consistent support when it matters most.
On July 1st, 2023, Dilano van ’t Hoff tragically lost his life during the FRECA F3 European Championship at Spa-Francorchamps. This came after he had completed a long recovery and reintegration process and had fully returned to competitive motorsport.
The global motorsport community responded with unity. Racing for Dilano stickers appeared on helmets, karts, and racecars around the world. It was a powerful symbol of respect, remembrance, and solidarity.
What began as a tribute has grown into a mission
to support young athletes through the complex journey of physical and mental recovery.
Because true recovery isn’t just about healing. It is about rebuilding trust in movement, coordination, and steady progression.
OUR VALUES
These core values form the foundation of our work and the way we guide young athletes through recovery:
Resilience
We believe in the strength that comes from structured recovery, both physical and mental.
Connection
We build bridges between athletes, families, and professionals, because no one should have to recover alone.
Trust
We create a safe, reliable environment where athletes can develop at their own pace.
Empowerment
We guide progression with precision and patience, never through pressure, always through trust.
OUR APPROACH
Recovery is rarely a straight line. It can be overwhelming, both physically and emotionally. That’s why it’s essential for every athlete to have someone by their side who can see the bigger picture, someone with experience and expertise, who can take a step back and ask the right questions.
When doubt or setbacks arise, progress isn’t about pushing harder, it’s about doing what is right for that moment.
In elite sports, the pressure to keep going is immense. But true performance doesn’t come from pressure, it grows from rhythm, regulation, and conscious presence.
That’s why we focus on both body and mind. Because development doesn’t stop during recovery, it deepens.
REINTEGRATION AFTER RECOVERY
Our vision of reintegration is based not only on knowledge but on lived experience.
In both equestrian and motorsport, returning after injury is not about getting back into competition as quickly as possible. Together with Dilano’s sister Luca, we spent years supporting our sport horses through that vulnerable phase after injury. The first competition was always a moment of alignment: are we truly ready, or do we need more preparation?
That same mindset guided Luca’s own return to the ring, not driven by results, but by respect for the process. It was precisely this approach that led her to win the Grand Prix at an international event on her comeback.
Being ‘ready’ cannot be confined to a strict timeline. But when body and mind come together in preparation, performance often follows naturally, then winning becomes a result, not a goal.
This principle is at the heart of our work with young athletes.
Well-being comes before winning.
True performance arises when body and mind are in balance. Recovery is not just a return to sport, but a return to yourself, rooted in strength, clarity, and confidence.
A WORD FROM THE FOUNDER
My name is Esther Schuller, founder and chair of the Racing for Dilano Foundation. This foundation was born from a deep personal experience with loss and recovery, combined with a professional mission: to transform how young athletes are supported through the complex journey of physical and emotional healing.
WHY I FOUNDED RACING FOR DILANO
The loss of my son Dilano brought my world to an abrupt halt. The love, pride and fulfillment he brought left a void that felt insurmountable. Grief, no matter how profound, dismantles and breaks down without restoring.
Recovery, however, is an active process of movement and growth. It invites a new beginning, a rediscovery of balance and the creation of new meaning.
Through this foundation I aim to support others in finding their own path through recovery, a path that goes beyond mere survival towards a strong and resilient life.
UNDERSTANDING TRUE RECOVERY
I have often had to recover myself. In the past, that meant physiotherapy or surgery; you did what was necessary and moved on. But I have come to understand that recovery goes much deeper.
The body adapts to survive, but adaptation is not healing. Unprocessed tension, both physical and emotional, can become ingrained in the nervous system, muscles and connective tissue. This can lead to chronic tension, limited mobility, disrupted movement patterns or recurring injuries.
True recovery not only restores strength but also coordination, body awareness and balance within the nervous system. It builds lasting resilience from the inside out.
GUIDING FROM EXPERIENCE
With a background in business development and recruitment, complemented by training in basic medical knowledge, kinesiology, physical rebalancing, and mental coaching, I combine strategic insight with in-depth expertise in every support process.
In my role, I personally engage with young athletes and their families, connect them with the right specialists, and ensure continuity and quality of guidance at every level.
Effective support requires more than theoretical knowledge. Sustainable guidance arises when professional expertise is grounded in lived experience, integrity, and the ability to truly connect with what someone needs during their recovery journey.
MOVING FORWARD
The Racing for Dilano Foundation is about more than recovery alone. It is about regaining balance, strengthening resilience and creating space for growth even when the next step is not yet fully visible.
We provide structure, expertise and dedicated guidance enabling young athletes to develop in an environment of calm, clarity and trust.
It wasn’t created in spite of loss, but through the strength it took to move through it, for those who need direction, stability, and support to find their own way forward.
DILANO’S LEGACY
Dilano’s determination continues to inspire us every single day. He was not only a passionate racing driver, but also a quiet force of strength.
His legacy lives on in everything we do. We are proud of the impact he made, in motorsport and beyond. May his strength inspire others to find their own path, with courage, trust, and dedication.
