(Motorsport-Total.com) – The fatal accident at the Nürburgring, which occurred during the first race of the 24h Qualifiers on Saturday evening, also shocked Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen: The four-time world champion was at the start of the four-hour race together with Lucas Auer in the Mercedes-AMG GT3.
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“I am shocked by what happened today…”, the Dutchman writes on his Instagram account on Saturday evening. “Motorsport is something we all love, but in times like these, we are reminded of how dangerous it can be.”
The 66-year-old Swede Juha Miettinen died from the severe injuries he sustained in a mass collision in the early stages of the race. A total of seven vehicles were involved in the accident, which, according to current information, was caused by a fluid trail in the Klostertal section of the track.
The other six drivers were taken to the medical center at the racetrack or to surrounding hospitals, but their lives are not in danger. Miettinen, however, died at the medical center after all resuscitation attempts had been unsuccessful.
The world motorsport federation has also commented: “The FIA deeply regrets to learn of the death of Juha Miettinen following an incident in the first race of today’s ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers. Our thoughts are with his family and friends, and all those involved in the event.”
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“My heartfelt condolences to Juha’s family and all his loved ones,” said Verstappen, who was unable to get behind the wheel in Saturday’s race. Mercedes teammate Lucas Auer had driven the start when the race was abandoned after less than 30 minutes due to the accident and not resumed.
At that point, the Austrian was in ninth place overall, which was also the result of a penalty from qualifying: Auer had spun a slower vehicle in the morning’s timed practice and had therefore been moved back from sixth to ninth place on the starting grid.
Despite the tragic events, the second race of the 24h Qualifiers is scheduled to take place on Sunday (from 1 PM, here in the livestream!). Timed practice begins at 8:15 AM, followed by a Top Qualifying, where the top vehicles will compete for the best starting positions in individual time trials. Before the race, there will be a minute of silence for Miettinen.
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