BERLIN, April 18 (Reuters) - Racing driver Juha Miettinen died and six drivers were injured after an accident at the ADAC 24h Nuerburgring qualifiers on Saturday, organisers said. They said Miettinen
Motor racing-One dead, six injured in Nuerburgring race Verstappen had entered
Fatal Accident at ADAC 24h Nuerburgring Qualifiers
BERLIN, April 18 (Reuters) - Racing driver Juha Miettinen died and six others were injured on Saturday after an accident at the ADAC 24h Nuerburgring qualifiers that four-times Formula One champion Max Verstappen was due to compete in.
Details of the Incident
Organisers said Miettinen, who was 66 years old, died after a crash that stopped the race after about half an hour of the scheduled four hours. All the other drivers were taken to hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.
Verstappen's Involvement
Red Bull F1 driver Verstappen, sharing a Mercedes AMG GT3 sportscar with Austrian Lucas Auer, was not on track at the time.
Official Statement
"During the first race of the ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers, a serious accident involving seven competitors occurred in the early stages of the race," Nuerburgring officials said in a statement.
"Despite the immediate arrival of emergency services, the emergency medics were unable to save the driver involved, Juha Miettinen (BMW 325i, #121), after he had been extracted from the vehicle. The driver died at the Medical Centre after all attempts at resuscitation proved unsuccessful."
Aftermath and Reactions
Race Suspension
Organisers said the race would not resume on Saturday and a minute’s silence would be held during the grid formation on Sunday.
Verstappen's Response
Instagram Statement
Verstappen said on Instagram that he was shocked by what had happened.
"Motorsport is something we all love but in times like this it is a reminder of how dangerous it can be," he posted.
"Sending my heartfelt condolences to Juha's family and loved ones."
The Nuerburgring Circuit
The Nuerburgring's historic and fearsome Nordschleife, known as the 'Green Hell' when it hosted Formula One in the 1960s and 70s, is a 20.8 km (12.9 miles) loop in the Eifel region of Germany. It was first opened in 1927.
(Reporting by Karolos Grohmann/Alan Baldwin; editing by Clare Fallon and Ed Osmond)
