Juha Miettinen Killed in Seven-Car Crash at ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers in Germany

A fatal seven-car crash during the ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers in Germany killed Finnish amateur racer Juha Miettinen, with the incident occurring on Saturday during the event’s first race.

“NÜRBURGRING, Germany — The motorsport world is mourning the loss of Finnish amateur racer Juha Miettinen, who passed away on Saturday, April 18, 2026, after sustaining fatal injuries in a multi-car accident during the first race of the ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers”

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Multiple outlets tied the death to the same sequence: race control halted the competition after a serious multi-car collision, emergency services arrived, and medics were unable to save the driver after he was extracted from the vehicle.

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The BBC reported that “Following the collision between several vehicles, race control immediately halted the race to allow for extensive recovery and rescue operations,” and added that “the emergency medics were unable to save the driver involved after he had been extracted from the vehicle.”

The Guardian similarly said the organisers’ statement described how “race control immediately stopped competition following the serious incident,” and that “They were unable to save 66-year-old Miettinen.”

Sky Sports and Motorsport.com both quoted the same core wording from race control, including that “the driver died at the Medical Centre after all attempts at resuscitation proved unsuccessful.”

The crash also involved six other drivers who were taken for examination, with the BBC stating that “none of the injured were in a life-threatening condition.”

Complex described Miettinen as “a 66-year-old Formula One racing driver,” while other reports identified him as a Finnish amateur racer and gave his age as 66, aligning across the coverage.

The crash happened in Germany on the Nürburgring Nordschleife during the ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers, and multiple accounts placed it in the early stages of the first race.

AutoRacing1.com said the pile-up unfolded “on the third lap, at the exit of the Klostertal right-hander leading into the steep section,” describing a “seven-car pile-up” in the high-speed corner.

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Motorsport.com also located the accident at “the exit of Klostertal, in the right-hand corner near the entrance to the steep section,” and said “The accident occurred on the third lap of the race at the exit of Klostertal.”

PlanetF1 and the BBC both emphasized that race control reacted immediately, with the BBC stating that the race was “initially halted by a red flag before it was eventually suspended an hour later.”

The Guardian reported that the incident was “early on” and involved “seven drivers,” while Motorsport.com added that “a lengthy red flag” followed “serious seven-car crash and barrier damage.”

Several reports described what happened to the rest of the field after the red flag, including that the race would not resume on Saturday evening and that a minute’s silence would be held during Sunday’s grid formation.

The official race-control statement quoted by multiple outlets said “The race will not resume on Saturday evening,” and also set the timing for the memorial: “A minute’s silence will be held in memory of the deceased motorsport competitor during the grid formation for Sunday’s race at 13:00.”

The crash drew immediate reactions from Formula 1’s Max Verstappen and from race organisers’ communications, with multiple outlets quoting the same message.

“- Published Racing driver Juha Miettinen has died after a seven-car crash during the Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) qualifiers in Germany on Saturday”

BBC

The BBC said Verstappen “sent his condolences on social media,” and quoted him writing, “Shocked by what's happened today,” adding “Motorsport is something we all love, but in times like this it is a reminder of how dangerous it can be.”

Verstappen’s message continued with “Sending my heartfelt condolences to Juha's family and loved ones.”

The Guardian also quoted Verstappen’s Instagram Stories post with the same wording, and said he was “not competing at the time of the incident.”

PlanetF1 likewise reported that Verstappen took to social media and quoted “Shocked by what happened today…” and “Sending my heartfelt condolences to Juha’s family and loved ones.”

Beyond Verstappen, the BBC and Sky Sports both described the organisers’ statement about the medical response, including that “the emergency medics were unable to save the driver involved” and that the driver died after unsuccessful resuscitation attempts.

PlanetF1 added that “the FIA expressed is sadness following Miettinen’s death on social media,” quoting “The FIA is sad to learn of the passing of Juha Miettinen following an incident in today’s first race of the ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers.”

While the official statements focused on the collision and the medical outcome, other reports discussed what might have triggered the chain reaction and provided detailed car information.

AutoRacing1.com said “Reports indicate a possible fluid leak or oil spill on the racing line may have triggered a sudden loss of grip in the high-speed corner,” linking the crash to the Nordschleife’s conditions.

Complex

Motorsport.com similarly wrote that “There is still no confirmed information about the cause of the accident,” but added that “A possible oil spill may have led to the crash involving the seven vehicles.”

The Sun also stated “Motorsport reported that a possible oil spill may have led to the huge crash, although there is no confirmed cause.”

Several outlets identified the cars involved by number and model, including AutoRacing1.com’s list of seven vehicles: “#121 BMW 325i E90,” “#111 BMW 325i E90,” “#27 Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3,” “#410 Porsche Cayman GTS,” “#448 Porsche Cayman CM12,” “#503 Toyota Supra,” and “#992 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.”

Motorsport.com echoed the same set of car numbers and added that the accident blocked the track “in the corner at the entrance to the steep section,” creating “a traffic jam of vehicles.”

PlanetF1 described the crash location as “just prior to the Caracciola-Karussell,” while Motorsport.com and AutoRacing1.com placed it at Klostertal near the steep section entrance.

After the crash, organisers and media reports described how the weekend programme would proceed, including the timing of Sunday’s sessions and the memorial minute’s silence.

“The 66-year old Swede was fatally injured in a massive pile-up in the NLS 24h Qualifiers Race one, with the race subsequently cancelled”

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The BBC said “Organisers said the race… would not resume on Saturday evening,” and it also reported that “A minute's silence will be held in memory of Miettinen during the grid formation for Sunday's race.”

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Complex likewise said the scheduled race would “resume at 1 p.m. local time on Apr. 19,” and that “there will be a minute of silence in Miettinen’s honor.”

The Guardian gave the same Sunday timing, stating “competition resumes at 1pm local time on Sunday,” and it included the organisers’ line that “A minute’s silence held in Miettinen’s honour during the grid formation when competition resumes at 1pm local time on Sunday.”

Sky Sports and the Mirror both said the race would not resume on Saturday evening and that the minute’s silence would be held during Sunday’s grid formation at 13:00.

Motorsport.com added a fuller schedule for Sunday, stating “After morning qualifying (8:15–9:45 a.m.), a top qualifying session will follow from 10:40 to 11:40 a.m.” and that “The four-hour race is scheduled to start at 1:00 p.m.”

AutoRacing1.com also framed the weekend as preparation for the main 24-hour race, saying the qualifiers “double as critical preparation for the main 24-hour race scheduled for May 14-17, 2026.”