A serious accident cast a shadow over the ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers last weekend. In the early stages of the first race, a serious collision occurred involving several vehicles. The accident proved fatal for one of the drivers.
Juha Miettinen, a 66-year-old Finnish man, succumbed to his serious injuries following the accident despite immediate medical treatment at the Medical Center. The other drivers involved were examined by medical personnel but were not in life-threatening condition.
Based on current information, debris on the course in the Klostertal area may have caused the accident. The race was stopped shortly after the start and was not resumed.
Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen, who was participating in the Qualifiers weekend himself, was also deeply saddened. In a statement, he made it clear how deeply shaken he was by the incident and reminded everyone that, despite its appeal, motorsports will always involve risks. At the same time, he expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased.
Before the second race on Sunday, a moment of silence was observed in memory of the driver who had been killed in the accident. The race itself then took place as scheduled and provided spectators with thrilling endurance racing.
Team Scherer Sport PHX secured the victory in an Audi R8 LMS GT3. In an eventful race, the trio of drivers prevailed after intense battles for position. Behind them, a Lamborghini team rounded out the podium, while a Porsche duo took third place after a close duel.
The weekend also made headlines on the track: Max Verstappen was in the mix at the front of the pack for much of the second race and even led at one point, before a technical issue forced him to make a lengthy pit stop, dashing any hopes of victory.
Despite the sporting highlights, the race weekend was overshadowed by the tragic incident. These events serve as a stark reminder of the risks involved in motorsports—especially on the demanding Nordschleife.
The Qualifiers weekend also marks the end of the preparatory phase for the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring in May, which is once again expected to feature a full field of competitors and top-class motorsport.