Driver dies in multi-car accident at ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers

A fatal accident involving seven competitors brought an early end to the first race of the ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers on 18 April 2026. Race control suspended the event immediately following the multi-vehicle collision to facilitate recovery and emergency response operations.

Juha Miettinen, driving a BMW 325i (#121), was fatally injured in the incident. Despite prompt extraction from the vehicle and immediate medical intervention at the circuit's Medical Centre, resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful.

Six other drivers involved in the accident were transported to the Medical Centre and surrounding hospitals for precautionary assessment. None of the remaining injured competitors are reported to be in life-threatening condition.

Race control confirmed that the first qualifying race will not resume on Saturday evening. A minute's silence will be observed during the grid formation for Sunday's race, scheduled for 13:00, in tribute to Miettinen.