Finnish endurance driver Juha Miettinen was killed in a seven-car crash at the Nürburgring, halting a race featuring Max Verstappen and prompting a safety review.
VETERAN Finnish endurance driver Juha Miettinen was killed in a seven-car pile-up during a qualifying race at Germany’s Nürburgring circuit.
The 66-year-old competitor died at the track’s medical centre following the high-speed accident just 25 minutes into the four-hour event.
Six other drivers involved in the crash were hospitalised with injuries described as non-life-threatening.
The race, which formed part of the Nürburgring Langstrecken Series qualifiers for an upcoming 24-hour endurance event, was immediately halted by organisers.
Four-time Formula One world champion Max Verstappen was participating in the event but was not on the circuit at the time of the incident.
Writing on social media, Verstappen expressed his shock and sent condolences to Miettinen’s family.
Motorsport’s global governing body, the FIA, also released a statement expressing sadness at the news.
Race organisers confirmed the event would continue on Sunday following a moment of silence during the starting grid formation.
German newspaper Bild reported that Miettinen was a frequent and successful competitor at the famous circuit.
