German race crash kills driver Juha Miettinen; Max Verstappen sends condolences from track

A contention successful Germany turned tragic Saturday erstwhile 1 of the drivers progressive was killed successful a wreck.

Juha Miettinen, 66, was wrong 1 of 7 cars successful the collision and died, organizers of the ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers said.

"Following the collision betwixt respective vehicles, contention power instantly halted the contention to let for extended betterment and rescue operations," the enactment said successful a statement.

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Car fans conscionable astatine the Nürburgring Nordschleife entree roadworthy successful Nürburg, Germany, April 3, 2026, marking the commencement of the tuning play known arsenic Car Friday. (Thomas Frey/Picture Alliance via Getty Images)

"Despite the contiguous accomplishment of exigency services, the exigency medics were incapable to prevention the operator involved, Juha Miettinen, aft helium had been extracted from the vehicle; the operator died astatine the Medical Centre aft each attempts astatine resuscitation proved unsuccessful."

Organizers said the different six drivers were taken to adjacent hospitals for precautionary examinations, and nary were successful a life-threatening condition.

Famed operator Max Verstappen was besides astatine the track. Verstappen, who is utilizing this weekend's races to hole for his archetypal 24-hour sports car contention astatine the historical circuit connected May 16-17, shared condolences connected societal media.

Red Bull operator Max Verstappen of the Netherlands leaves during the qualifying league of the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix astatine the Suzuka Circuit successful Suzuka, Japan, March 28, 2026. (Franck Robichon/Pool Photo via AP)

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"Shocked by what happened today. Motorsport is thing we each love, but successful times similar this it is simply a reminder of however unsafe it tin be," Verstappen wrote connected Instagram. "Sending my heartfelt condolences to Juha's household and loved ones."

A infinitesimal of soundlessness volition beryllium held successful representation of Miettinen during the grid enactment for Sunday's race.

Car fans stitchery astatine the Nürburgring Nordschleife entree roadworthy successful Rhineland-Palatinate connected Car Friday, marking the commencement of the tuning play April 3, 2026. (Thomas Frey/picture alliance)

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Running astir 13 miles done wooded German hills with much than 150 corners and barriers often adjacent to the track, the Nordschleife layout astatine the Nürburgring is known for high-risk thrills. F1 hasn't utilized it since 1976, erstwhile reigning champion Niki Lauda suffered terrible burns successful a crash.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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