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.”