‘Shocked’ Max Verstappen pays tribute to driver killed at Nurburgring

Verstappen was not competing at the time of the incident (Getty)

Racing driver Juha Miettinen has died following a multi-car collision during the ADAC 24h Nurburgring Qualifiers in Germany, an event also scheduled to feature four-time Formula One champion Max Verstappen.

Miettinen, 66, was involved in a serious incident early on, which saw seven competitors collide.

According to organisers, race control immediately halted the competition, and emergency services swiftly attended the scene.

Despite rapid intervention, Miettinen could not be saved.

He was removed from his vehicle and later pronounced dead at the medical centre after resuscitation attempts proved unsuccessful.

"Shocked by what's happened today," Verstappen, who was not competing at the time of the incident, wrote in a post to his Instagram Stories.

"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."

The full statement from organisers of the race read: "During the first race of the ADAC 24h Nurburgring Qualifiers (18 April 2026), a serious accident involving seven competitors occurred in the early stages of the race.

"Following the collision between several vehicles, race control immediately halted the race to allow for extensive recovery and rescue operations.

"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.

"The other six drivers involved were taken to the Medical Centre and nearby hospitals for precautionary examinations. None of the injured are in a life-threatening condition.

"The race will not resume on Saturday evening. The thoughts of everyone involved in the 24 Hours of Nurburgring are with the bereaved family of Juha Miettinen."

Organisers confirmed that competition would not resume on Saturday evening, and there will be a minute's silence held in Miettinen's honour during the grid formation when competition resumes at 1pm local time on Sunday.