Who was Juha Miettinen? The driver who died in Nurburgring crash | F1 | Sport

Fatal accident: Juha Miettinen died aged 66 on Saturday following a horrific multi-car collision during the first race of the ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers. He was behind the wheel of a BMW 325i, designated as car #121, when the incident occurred on the notoriously dangerous Nordschleife circuit in Germany.

The crash: The accident involved a total of seven vehicles and was so severe that race control stopped the event instantly to allow emergency services to reach the scene. Despite the rapid arrival of paramedics and extensive efforts to save him at the on-site Medical Centre, all resuscitation attempts proved unsuccessful and Miettinen was pronounced dead shortly after.

Other drivers: While Miettinen was the only fatality, the collision resulted in six other drivers being taken to the Medical Centre and local hospitals for examination. One of these competitors had to be airlifted from the track due to the severity of the wreckage, though officials later confirmed that none of the surviving drivers suffered life-threatening injuries.

Official race statement: Organisers released a statement expressing their deep sorrow, confirming that the race would not resume on Saturday evening out of respect for Miettinen. They also announced that a minute of silence would be held during the grid formation on Sunday to honor Miettinen’s memory and his contributions to the sport.

Max Verstappen’s tribute: Formula One star Max Verstappen, who was participating in the same event as a team-mate to Lucas Auer, shared his shock and grief over the passing of his fellow driver. Writing on social media, Verstappen said that while motorsport is a shared passion, such tragedies serve as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers, and he offered his “heartfelt condolences” to Miettinen’s family.

Background and career: Miettinen was a Finnish veteran racer who had become a fixture at the track, having completed countless laps on the Nordschleife throughout his long career. Before focusing on racing, he was reportedly a talented footballer at youth level, but he eventually became famous at the Nürburgring for his consistent performance and his role as a mentor to younger drivers who looked up to his vast experience.

Reason for racing: Miettinen was at the track to compete in the qualifying races for the prestigious 24 Hours of Nürburgring, an event that attracts both amateur fans and world-class professionals. He was dedicated to the challenge of mastering the Nordschleife, a pursuit that many drivers consider the ultimate test of skill and bravery in the racing world.

The danger of the Nordschleife: Running nearly 13 miles through wooded German hills, with more than 150 corners and barriers often close to the track, the Nordschleife layout at the Nürburgring is known for its high risk. F1 has not used it since 1976, when then-reigning champion Niki Lauda suffered severe burns in a crash.