Death at the Green Hell: Racer Juha Miettinen Killed in Crash That Involved Max Verstappen

A seven-car crash during the Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) race in Germany on Saturday claimed the life of Finnish driver Juha Miettinen.

Miettinen, 66, racing in a BMW 325i, was involved in the collision during the early stages of the qualifying session. Despite prompt medical assistance, he could not be revived and passed away at the Medical Centre.

The six other drivers caught up in the crash were taken to the medical centre and nearby hospitals for precautionary checks.

Organisers confirmed that none of those drivers were in a life-threatening condition. Among them was four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen, who escaped without injury.

The ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nurburgring issued a formal statement on the incident: "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.”

How Did the Nurburgring Race Authorities Respond to the Fatal Miettinen Crash?

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

The race was suspended for the remainder of the day. Organisers announced plans for a minute's silence during Sunday's grid formation in honour of Miettinen.

Verstappen took to Instagram to share his condolences. "Shocked by what's happened today," he wrote.

BMW Motorsport also paid tribute to the driver, stating: "Heartbreaking news from the Nürburgring. We are shocked and deeply saddened by the fatal accident of Juha Miettinen.”

“We lost a member of the BMW racing family under tragic circumstances. Our thoughts are with his family and friends,” the statement added.

What Were Juha Miettinen's Last Words Before the Fatal Nurburgring Crash?

In what would prove to be his final Instagram post, shared just hours before the crash, Miettinen wrote, "Ready for the N24H Qually races. Two races in two days. The first one into the night. The second one is way too early in the morning, just so you get a taste of that Nürburgring 24H race feeling..."

The post was accompanied by a video of his car. In the comment section, followers have since paid their own tributes. "Not gone, just a lap ahead," one person wrote. "He died doing what he loved most," another added.

The Nurburgring Nordschleife, where the race takes place, stretches nearly 13 miles through wooded hills in Germany, featuring more than 150 corners with barriers sitting close to the track in many sections.

It is widely regarded as one of the hardest and most unforgiving circuits in the world. Formula One abandoned the track after 1976, the year reigning champion Niki Lauda suffered severe burns in a crash there.

The motorsport world now mourns the loss of a man who raced not for fame or fortune, but for the sheer love of the sport, on the very track that has defined and defied generations of drivers.