Driver dies in 7-car crash ahead of Nürburgring race featuring Max Verstappen
NÜRBURG, Germany (AP) — A driver has died following a crash in an endurance sportscar race on Saturday at the Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit in Germany, where four-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen was also preparing to race. Organizers of the ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers said that Juha Miettinen died after a crash involving seven cars. He was 66.
“Following the collision between several vehicles, race control immediately halted the race to allow for extensive recovery and rescue operations,” they said in a statement. “Despite the immediate arrival of emergency services, the emergency medics were unable to save the driver involved, Juha Miettinen, after he had been extracted from the vehicle; the driver died at the Medical Centre after all attempts at resuscitation proved unsuccessful. ” Organizers said the other six drivers were taken to the medical center and nearby hospitals for precautionary examinations and that none were in a life-threatening condition.
A minute’s silence will be held in memory of Miettinen during the grid formation for Sunday’s race. Verstappen is using this weekend’s races as part of his preparations for his first 24-hour sportscar race at the historic circuit on May 16-17. Running nearly 13 miles (20.
8 kilometers) through wooded German hills, with more than 150 corners and barriers often close to the track, the Nordschleife layout at the Nürburgring is known for high-risk thrills. F1 hasn’t used it since 1976, when then-reigning champion Niki Lauda suffered severe burns in a crash. ___ AP auto racing: https://apnews.
com/hub/auto-racing