A tragic accident struck the ADAC 24h Nurburgring Qualifiers on Saturday, where 66-year-old driver Juha Miettinen lost his life in a multi-car crash involving seven competitors early in the race.
The event, which also featured four-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen, was halted just 30 minutes in. Despite immediate medical response, Miettinen could not be saved, while six other drivers were injured but are out of danger.
Who Died in 24h Nurburgring Qualifiers?
Organisers said Miettinen, who was 66 years old, died after a crash that stopped the race after about half an hour of the scheduled four hours. All the other drivers were taken to hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.
Red Bull F1 driver Verstappen, sharing a Mercedes AMG GT3 sportscar with Austrian Lucas Auer, was not on track at the time. "During the first race of the ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers, a serious accident involving seven competitors occurred in the early stages of the race," Nuerburgring officials said in a statement.
"Despite the immediate arrival of emergency services, the emergency medics were unable to save the driver involved, Juha Miettinen (BMW 325i, #121), after he had been extracted from the vehicle. The driver died at the Medical Centre after all attempts at resuscitation proved unsuccessful."
When will the 24h Nurburgring Qualifiers Resume?
Organisers said the race would not resume on Saturday and a minute's silence would be held during the grid formation on Sunday.
Verstappen said on Instagram that he was shocked by what had happened. "Motorsport is something we all love but in times like this it is a reminder of how dangerous it can be," he posted. "Sending my heartfelt condolences to Juha's family and loved ones."
The Nuerburgring's historic and fearsome Nordschleife, known as the 'Green Hell' when it hosted Formula One in the 1960s and 70s, is a 20.8 km (12.9 miles) loop in the Eifel region of Germany. It was first opened in 1927.
(With Inputs from Reuters)