Driver Killed In Multi-Car Crash During Nürburgring Endurance Race

Juha Miettinen has died following a multi-car crash during a race in the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie in Germany. The 66-year-old driver was involved in a seven-car collision on Saturday during Race 1 of the Nürburgring 24 Hours Qualifiers weekend, a four-hour endurance race held at the iconic Nürburgring Nordschleife . Juha Miettinen, 66 year old driver dies after seven car crash at Nürburgring during NLS race According to race control and multiple motorsport reports, the crash occurred on the third lap at the Karussell section of the circuit, one of the most technically demanding and famou

Juha Miettinen has died following a multi-car crash during a race in the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie in Germany.

The 66-year-old driver was involved in a seven-car collision on Saturday during Race 1 of the Nürburgring 24 Hours Qualifiers weekend, a four-hour endurance race held at the iconic Nürburgring Nordschleife.

Juha Miettinen, 66 year old driver dies after seven car crash at Nürburgring during NLS race

According to race control and multiple motorsport reports, the crash occurred on the third lap at the Karussell section of the circuit, one of the most technically demanding and famous corners on the track.

Miettinen was driving a BMW 325i, car number 121, competing for Keeevin Motorsport, when the collision unfolded. Emergency crews responded immediately and extracted him from the vehicle before he was taken to the circuit’s medical centre. Despite resuscitation attempts by medical teams, he was pronounced dead at the medical facility.

Six other drivers were also involved in the crash and were taken to hospital. Officials confirmed their injuries were not life-threatening.

The race was red-flagged and subsequently abandoned as emergency services secured the scene. Organizers later confirmed that a minute’s silence would be observed in tribute to Miettinen ahead of the next scheduled event.

The Nürburgring Nordschleife, often referred to as the “Green Hell,” is widely regarded as one of the most challenging circuits in global motorsport due to its length, elevation changes, and unpredictable conditions.

The Nürburgring Nordschleife, known as the "Green Hell," is a historic 20.8 km (12.9-mile) racetrack in Germany’s Eifel mountains. The World's Most Notorious Race Track. /Getty Images

Saturday’s fatal accident marks the first race fatality at the Nordschleife since June 2013, when driver Wolf Silvester was killed during competition, underscoring the persistent risks associated with endurance racing despite ongoing safety improvements.

Tributes have since begun to emerge across the motorsport community, remembering Miettinen as a dedicated competitor with a long-standing passion for endurance racing.