Max Verstappen’s Nürburgring programme moved up a gear on Sunday as the Red Bull Formula 1 driver returned to the Nordschleife for the second NLS qualifying race, continuing his build-up to the Nürburgring 24 Hours in a Red Bull-branded Mercedes-AMG GT3.
It’s the kind of cross-discipline outing that’s become increasingly normal for top-line F1 drivers when calendars allow, but this weekend arrived with a sombre edge after Saturday night’s first qualifying race was called off following a fatal multi-car accident.
Just over half an hour into Saturday’s running, the race was red-flagged after a seven-car crash shortly before the Caracciola-Karussell. With the circuit blocked and rescue operations under way, a number of cars were left stranded on track as ambulances were dispatched. Race Control later confirmed that Juha Miettinen, 66, who had been driving a BMW 325i, died as a result of the incident.
Verstappen responded publicly, posting a message of condolence as the paddock and the wider Nürburgring community tried to process the news.
“Shocked by what happened today…” Verstappen wrote on social media. “Motorsport is something we all love, but in times like this it is a reminder of how dangerous it can be. Sending my heartfelt condolences to Juha’s family and loved ones.”
Sunday’s second qualifying race is set to go ahead as scheduled. Organisers have planned a minute’s silence in Miettinen’s memory during the grid formation ahead of the 13:00 local start (12:00 UK).
Verstappen’s teammate Lucas Auer had been running ninth when Saturday’s accident occurred, underlining how abruptly routine can turn on the Nordschleife — a circuit that demands total respect even from those who’ve made a career out of operating at the limit.
For Verstappen, the on-track objective remains clear: more laps, more references, and another step towards being properly race-ready for the 24-hour classic. But this weekend has also served as a stark reminder that endurance racing’s romance is inseparable from its risk — and that even in 2026, the sport’s margins can still cut painfully deep.
