A driver has died following a major multi-car accident during Saturday’s opening race of the ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers.
Officials have confirmed Juha Miettinen was fatally injured while driving a BMW 325i in the first Qualifying Race, NLS4, after an incident involving seven cars brought proceedings to an immediate halt.
The red flag was thrown a little over 30 minutes into the race as the field approached the Caracciola-Karussell, with Race Control confirming the crash occurred just before the famous banked corner. With the circuit blocked, recovery vehicles and medical crews were dispatched, and several cars elsewhere on the Nordschleife were forced to stop on track as the situation was dealt with.
In a statement issued by Nürburgring race control, organisers said Miettinen was attended to promptly but could not be saved.
“During the first race of the ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers (18 April 2026), a serious accident involving seven competitors occurred in the early stages of the race. Following the collision involving several vehicles, race control immediately halted the race to allow for extensive recovery and rescue operations,” the statement read.
“Despite the immediate arrival of emergency services, the paramedics were unable to save the driver involved, Juha Miettinen (BMW 125i, #121); the driver died in the Medical Centre after all attempts at resuscitation proved unsuccessful.”
Organisers added that the other six drivers involved in the crash were taken to the Medical Centre and nearby hospitals for precautionary checks, with none understood to be in a life-threatening condition.
Saturday evening’s running will not resume. A minute’s silence is scheduled to be held during the grid formation for Sunday’s race at 13:00.
The FIA also issued a short statement following confirmation of Miettinen’s death.
“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,” it said. “Our thoughts are with his family and friends and everyone involved in the event.”
The incident unfolded on a weekend already drawing wider attention due to Max Verstappen’s planned participation. Verstappen had been scheduled to compete in the race but had not yet taken over driving duties at the time the red flag was thrown. Lucas Auer started the race for their squad and was running ninth prior to the stoppage.
In the immediate aftermath, the motorsport community will inevitably ask the hard questions that follow any tragedy, particularly at a venue as revered — and as unforgiving — as the Nürburgring Nordschleife. For now, though, the focus is on Miettinen, those affected by the accident, and a paddock facing the grim reality that even in 2026, the risks remain real.
