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 provide young athletes with structure, expertise, and consistent support at critical moments.
On July 1st, 2023, Dilano van ’t Hoff tragically lost his life during the FRECA F3 European Championship at Spa-Francorchamps. This occured after he had completed a long recovery and reintegration process and had returned to competitive racing.
The motorsport community responded with unison. Racing for Dilano stickers appeared worldwide on helmets, karts, and racecars. It was a powerful symbol of respect, unity, and remembrance.
What began as a tribute has grown into a mission:
to guide young athletes through their recovery, both physically and mentally.
Because recovery means more than healing. It is about regaining confidence in movement, coordination, and steady progress.
OUR VALUES
These core values are the foundation of our work and guide how we support young athletes:
Resilience: Recovery demands discipline, careful planning, and a solid foundation. We assist in developing both physical and mental resilience.
Connection: We bring together the right people, athletes, parents, medical specialists, and coaches, because no one should face recovery alone.
Trust: We provide dedicated professionals to support the athlete and build a network around them that offers genuine support through clear communication, coordination, and continuity.
Progress: Our focus is on advancing in the correct sequence and at the appropriate time. No rushing, only meaningful results.
OUR APPROACH
Dilano’s recovery journey began with a series of incorrect medical assessments.
After his accident, he was sent home with a sling and advised to rest for six weeks. However, the pain remained severe. There was a two-week wait before he could be seen at the hospital. Thanks to the persistence of his father, Alex, surgery was arranged within two days. During the operation, a complicated clavicle fracture was discovered that could not heal on its own. A metal plate was installed.
Eight days later, he was already back in the car at the Monaco circuit, under medical supervision—but with insufficient strength and inadequate recovery. The sports physiotherapist and mental coach who were already supporting him were ready to help but had little to do as long as the medical foundation was flawed. The physical load was underestimated, recovery stalled, and symptoms kept recurring.
After months of frustration and setbacks, he even managed to reach the podium with practically “one hand on the wheel.” However, an X-ray taken in Barcelona, together with his mental coach, revealed broken screws in the plate caused by forces exceeding 4G in the corners.
That was the turning point. Together, we decided to fundamentally revise the approach. A family friend connected us with a specialized trauma surgeon experienced with a professional cycling team—an expert in clavicle injuries in elite athletes.
His assessment was clear: the previous construct could not withstand the demands of this sport. In addition, a hospital-acquired infection was identified, further delaying recovery. After a two-week hospital stay and a period of absolute rest, the treatment plan was completely overhauled: with focused medical management, sports physiotherapy, and mental coaching—all now based on a solid medical foundation.
From that moment on, recovery truly took off. This experience now forms the basis of our approach.
Elite sports require more than standard rehabilitation. They demand specialists who understand the sport, clear phases, short communication lines, and decisions made at the right time.
In elite sport, “almost good enough” is a risk. Everything must align: medical, physical, mental, and performance-oriented.
REINTEGRATION AFTER RECOVERY
Whether it’s motorsport or equestrian sport, coming back from injury takes more than just getting physically better. It’s a careful process where body and mind get back in sync, not a race to jump back in as fast as possible.
Together with Dilano’s sister Luca, we care for our sport horses with the same dedication and precision as top athletes. For a first competition after rest or injury, it’s not about speed. It is about readiness: are we ready, or is further preparation needed?
The same approach worked for Luca’s own return to the ring. No rushing, just full focus on recovery and preparation. And it paid off: she won the Grand Prix at a top outdoor show on her comeback.
“Being ready” isn’t something you can schedule tightly. When physical strength and mental focus come together, performance just happens, and winning becomes a logical byproduct.
Well-being comes first.
Racing for Dilano lives by the same rule. No pressure, just clear direction. No quick wins, but smart, steady build-up. When the prep is right, results follow naturally.
A WORD FROM THE FOUNDER
My name is Esther Schuller, founder and chair of the Racing for Dilano Foundation.
This foundation was born from personal experience and professional expertise, with one clear mission: to improve the guidance of young athletes through the complex process of physical and mental recovery.
While effective methods exist, young racers rarely receive consistent, coordinated support. There is no standard safety net or dedicated team of specialists ready to step in immediately when setbacks occur. Racing for Dilano fills that gap by building a network that provides focused guidance, direct communication, and people who truly understand the demands of high-level sports.
UNDERSTANDING TRUE RECOVERY
I’ve had to recover many times myself. In the past, recovery meant bed rest, physiotherapy, or surgery, you did what was necessary and moved on. But for years now, I’ve known that recovery goes much deeper, and I continue to feel the lasting effects.
The body adapts to survive, but adaptation is not the same as healing. Unresolved tension can become trapped in the nervous system, muscles, and connective tissues, including fascia.
In the context of sports injuries and recovery, fascia is often highlighted because this tissue is especially sensitive to tension and “remembers” the stresses the body has endured. The body holds on—and it remembers. This can cause unresolved strain to lead to chronic tension, restricted mobility, disrupted movement patterns, or recurring injuries.
True recovery restores not only strength but also coordination, body awareness, and balance within the nervous system. It builds lasting resilience from the inside out.
GUIDance rooted in 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 guidance 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 support at every level.
Effective support requires more than theoretical knowledge. Lasting guidance is created when professional expertise is grounded in lived experience, integrity, and the ability to truly meet the individual needs during the recovery process.
MOVING FORWARD
The Racing for Dilano Foundation is about more than recovery alone. It is about regaining balance, building resilience, and creating space for growth, even when the next step isn’t yet clear.
We offer structure, expertise and dedicated guidance, enabling young athletes to develop in an environment of calm, clarity and trust.
This foundation wasn’t born despite loss, but through the strength it took to move beyond it, for those who need direction, stability, and support to find their own way forward.
DILANO’S LEGACY
Racing for Dilano honours the determination and perseverance of Dilano van ’t Hoff. His example continues to guide us in everything we do.
His legacy forms the foundation of our approach: we provide targeted guidance, make deliberate choices, and commit ourselves to ambitious goals.
We are proud of the impact he made, both within motorsport and beyond. His passing left not only deep sorrow, but also a clear mission: to support young athletes in the critical phases of their development and recovery.
Dilano’s ability to overcome challenges makes him an enduring source of inspiration.
For those who didn’t know him personally, this video offers a glimpse into his character and mindset, a true example of perseverance under pressure.
Keep Racing for Dilano❤️
