Juha Miettinen dies after seven-car crash in Nurburgring race

Racing driver Juha Miettinen died following a seven-car crash during qualifying at the Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) in Germany on Saturday.

The race was initially stopped by a red flag, then suspended an hour later when the severity of the multi-car collision became apparent.

Organizers said the race, which attracted extra attention with the participation of Formula 1 pilot Max Verstappen, will not continue on Saturday evening.

“Following a collision between several vehicles, race control immediately stopped the race to allow for extensive rescue and recovery operations,” the race organizer said in a statement. he said.

“Although emergency teams arrived immediately, emergency medical teams could not save the driver who was taken out of the vehicle, and after all attempts to resuscitate him failed, the driver died at the health center.”

In the statement, it was stated that the other 6 drivers were taken to the hospital for examination, but none of the injured were life-threatening.

Four-time Formula 1 champion Verstappen, who will participate in the 24-hour endurance race in May, expressed his condolences on social media.

“I’m shocked by what happened today,” Verstappen wrote on social media.

“Motorsports is something we all love, but in times like these it reminds us of how dangerous it can be.”

“I extend my sincere condolences to Juha’s family and loved ones.”

There will be a minute’s silence in memory of Miettinen during the grid layout of Sunday’s race.