Driver Juha Miettinen has died after a seven-car crash at the Nürburgring Nordschleife during an NLS race that was stopped and later abandoned.
NÜRBURGRING, GERMANY — A fatal crash during a Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) race has claimed the life of experienced driver Juha Miettinen, following a serious multi-car incident that brought racing to a halt on Saturday.
What happened
The incident occurred approximately 25 minutes into the scheduled four-hour race on the Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit. A seven-car collision triggered an immediate red flag, stopping the event as emergency crews rushed to the scene.
The race gained additional attention due to the participation of Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen, though the crash itself occurred in a separate part of the field.
Medical response
According to officials, emergency personnel arrived quickly after the crash. Despite resuscitation efforts at the circuit’s medical center, Juha Miettinen, driving a BMW 325i (#121), was pronounced dead.
Race organizers confirmed that all attempts to save him were unsuccessful.
Six other drivers involved in the crash were taken to the medical center and nearby hospitals for precautionary checks. Officials confirmed that none of the injured drivers are in life-threatening condition.
Race status
Following the severity of the incident, the race was first red-flagged and later suspended entirely for the day. Organizers confirmed that the event would not resume on Saturday.
A minute of silence is planned in memory of Miettinen during upcoming race activities.
Driver information
Juha Miettinen was described as an experienced competitor on the Nordschleife circuit, a track known for its extreme difficulty and high-risk racing conditions.
Investigation and safety review
Race officials are expected to carry out a full investigation into the multi-car crash, including reviewing telemetry, track conditions, and driver positioning at the time of the incident.
The Nürburgring Nordschleife has long been considered one of the most demanding circuits in motorsport, with past incidents leading to ongoing safety discussions.
Closing
The motorsport community has been left in mourning following the fatal crash, which marks the first racing death at the Nordschleife since 2013. Further updates are expected as officials complete their review of the incident.