Formula 1 racer Juha Miettinen died in a seven-car crash during an endurance sports car race at the Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit in Germany on Saturday, April 18. He was 66.
“Following the collision between several vehicles, race control immediately halted the race to allow for extensive recovery and rescue operations,” said the Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie organization in a statement via Instagram. “Despite the immediate arrival of emergency services, the emergency medics were unable to save the driver involved, Juha Miettinen, after he had been extracted from the vehicle; the driver died at the Medical Centre after all attempts at resuscitation proved unsuccessful.”
The organizers added that the six other drivers involved in the crash were taken to local medical centers and hospitals for precautionary examinations, but none were facing life-threatening conditions.
The accident occurred about 25 minutes into the four hour race at the Karussell section of the Nordschleife circuit. After the stoppage, the race did not resume.
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According to Athlon Sports, the accident marks the first driver fatality on the Nordschleife since June 2013, when Wolf Silvester died during a race.
Four-time F1 champion Max Verstappen was not racing at the time of the accident but is using this weekend’s competitions to prepare for a 24-hour sportscar race on May 16 and 17.
Verstappen, 28, took to Instagram to share his condolences for Miettinen.
“Shocked by what’s happened today,” said the young driver via his Instagram story. “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.”
Before the scheduled race on Sunday, April 19, there will be a minute-long moment of silence to honor Miettinen, per the Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie.
“The thoughts of everyone involved in the 24 Hours of Nurburgring are with the bereaved family of Juha Miettinen,” said the organization in its statement.
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Miettinen’s final Instagram post — a collaborative post with co-driver Dan Berghult — came on Friday, April 17, ahead of the weekend circuit. The drivers shared their excitement for the weekend races in the short Instagram video.
“Ready for the N24H Qually races,” the post’s caption read. “Two races in two days. The first one into the night. The second one way too early in the morning, just so you get a taste of that Nurburgring 24H race feeling…”
Tributes for Miettinen flooded the comments section of the post.
“RIP,” said one user. “You died doing what you loved the most. I hope your final moments were without pain and I wish you are now at a better place. Race in heaven.”
