Juha Miettinen, a 66-year-old Finnish amateur racer, tragically died following a multi-car accident during the ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers on April 18, 2026. The incident occurred during the third lap of the race due to a possible fluid leak, leading to a seven-car pile-up at the notorious Nordschleife track. Miettinen was driving the #121 BMW 325i E90 and was transported to the medical center after extraction from his vehicle, but he could not be saved. Six other drivers were involved in the crash, fortunately suffering non-life-threatening injuries. The race was immediately red-flagged and will not be resumed.

By the Numbers
  • Seven cars involved in the crash: #121 BMW 325i E90, #111 BMW 325i E90, #27 Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3, #410 Porsche Cayman GTS, #448 Porsche Cayman CM12, #503 Toyota Supra, and #992 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.
  • Miettinen was 66 years old at the time of his passing.
State of Play
  • The ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers are critical preparation for the main 24-hour race scheduled for May 14-17, 2026.
  • Sunday's schedule remains unchanged, including qualifying sessions and a second four-hour race.
What's Next

The motorsport community will honor Juha Miettinen with a minute’s silence before the Sunday race, as the event continues with other planned activities. It remains to be seen how the incident will impact future safety protocols in motorsport events. Full results and updates will be monitored closely.

Bottom Line

The tragic death of Juha Miettinen underscores the risks in motorsport and calls for ongoing discussions around safety measures. His passion for racing and contribution to the Nürburgring community will be remembered fondly as the paddock mourns this significant loss.