A qualifying weekend for the 24 Hours of Nürburgring is taking place at the Nordschleife this weekend, where two races are scheduled as preparation for May’s main event. The entry list includes a number of high-profile names, among them Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen.

The first of the two races got underway on Saturday at 17:30 local time, but it was stopped after just 25 minutes. Red flags were shown following a serious multi-car accident involving seven cars in the Caracciola-Karussell section, one of the most demanding parts of the circuit.

Race control later confirmed the tragic outcome in an official statement. “Following the collision involving several vehicles, race control immediately halted the race to allow for extensive recovery and rescue operations. Despite the immediate arrival of emergency services, the paramedics were unable to save the driver,” it said.

The driver who lost his life was Juha Miettinen. The 66-year-old was competing in a BMW for Keeevin Motorsport and had been a regular at the Nürburgring since 2018. He was taken to the circuit’s medical centre, where all attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful. The other drivers involved in the incident were taken for precautionary medical checks, with none believed to be in life-threatening condition.

The race was not resumed after the accident. A second qualifying race remains scheduled for Sunday at 13:00 local time, with organisers planning to hold a minute of silence before the start in memory of Miettinen. Verstappen later shared his condolences following the news. He described the tragedy as a stark reminder of the risks that remain in motorsport, despite the passion it brings to drivers and fans alike.