Racing driver Juha Miettinen has died after a seven-car crash during the Nürburgring 24 Hours Qualifiers Race 1 on the Nordschleife circuit.
NÜRBURGRING, GERMANY — Racing driver Juha Miettinen has been killed following a serious multi-car crash during the 24 Hours of Nürburgring Qualifiers Race 1, in a tragic incident that halted racing activity on the Nordschleife circuit.
What happened
The accident occurred on April 18, 2026, approximately 25 minutes into the four-hour race, around 17:55 local time. The event was immediately red-flagged after a major collision involving several vehicles at the Caracciola-Karussell section of the track.
Race control initially suspended the session as emergency crews responded to the scene and worked to manage the large-scale incident.
Race control update
Officials later confirmed that a seven-car crash had taken place, prompting extensive recovery and rescue operations. A formal race control bulletin stated that the race was stopped immediately to prioritize safety and emergency response.
Despite rapid intervention from medical teams, one driver could not be saved.
Fatality confirmed
Organizers confirmed that Juha Miettinen, driving a BMW 325i (#121), died at the circuit’s medical center after resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful.
Miettinen was 66 years old and an experienced competitor on the Nordschleife.
Six other drivers involved in the crash were transported to the medical center and nearby hospitals for precautionary evaluation. Officials confirmed that none of the injured drivers are in life-threatening condition.
Medical response
Emergency personnel arrived quickly at the scene following the crash. Medical teams worked for an extended period before confirming the fatality.
Authorities emphasized that all available rescue procedures were carried out immediately after the incident.
Race status
Following the severity of the crash, officials confirmed the race would not resume on Saturday evening. The remainder of the qualifying session was abandoned.
A minute of silence is scheduled to be held during grid formation for Sunday’s event in honor of Miettinen.
Investigation and safety review
Race organizers are expected to conduct a full investigation into the circumstances of the crash, including track conditions, car positioning, and race incident data.
The Nürburgring Nordschleife is widely known for its high-risk nature, and incidents of this severity often lead to renewed safety discussions within motorsport.
Closing
The motorsport community is mourning the loss of Juha Miettinen following the fatal crash, which brought a sudden and tragic end to the qualifying race at one of racing’s most challenging circuits.