The motorsport world is mourning the death of racing driver Juha Miettinen, who sustained fatal injuries during the first qualifying race of the 2026 ADAC 24 Hours of Nürburgring weekend. Miettinen passed away at the Medical Centre after doctors exhausted all attempts at resuscitation.
A race halted by tragedy
The incident struck approximately 25 minutes into the race, at the Klostertal Steilstrecke section of the Nordschleife, just before the famous Caracciola-Karussell corner. A suspected oil or fluid spill from another car triggered a massive seven-car accident, forcing race control to bring the race to an immediate halt.
The accident collected seven cars: the No.27 Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 of Wahl, Rönnefarth, Dumarey and Böckmann; the No.111 and No.121 BMW 325i (e90) entries; the No.410 Porsche Cayman GTS of Croci, Larbi, Ackermann and Le Bihan; the No.448 Porsche Cayman CM12 of Klinkmüller and Beckwermert; the No.503 Toyota Supra of Tamm, Egger and Hökfelt; and the No.992 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Manthey of Griesemann, Griesemann, Adorf and Holzer.
Race control dispatched several ambulances to the scene and deployed a medical helicopter as rescue teams launched operations at the crash site.
The loss of Juha Miettinen
Miettinen shared the No.121 BMW 325i (e90) with co-driver Berghult. The collision left him requiring urgent medical attention, and despite the immediate response of emergency services, doctors could not save him.
The NLS issued the following statement confirming his passing:
“Following the collision involving several vehicles, race control immediately halted the race to allow for extensive recovery and rescue operations. Despite the immediate arrival of emergency services, the paramedics were unable to save the driver involved, Juha Miettinen (BMW 325i, #121); the driver died in the Medical Centre after all attempts at resuscitation proved unsuccessful.”
“The other six drivers involved were taken to the Medical Centre and nearby hospitals for precautionary examinations. None of the injured are in a life-threatening condition. The race will not resume on Saturday evening.”
“The thoughts of everyone involved in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring are with the bereaved family of Juha Miettinen. A minute’s silence will be held in memory of the late motorsport competitor during the grid formation for Sunday’s race at 13:00.”
Racing comes to a standstill
The NLS confirmed that Saturday evening’s race would not resume. Across the paddock, the focus shifted from competition to grief as the full weight of what had happened at the Klostertal settled over the Nürburgring.
On Sunday, the grid will observe a minute’s silence in Miettinen’s memory during formation at 13:00.
A Community in Mourning
The Nürburgring has always demanded the utmost respect from those who race on it, and Saturday’s events serve as a devastating reminder of the dangers that drivers face every time they take to the Nordschleife. Juha Miettinen paid the ultimate price in pursuit of that passion.
