The Juha Miettinen crash happened on Saturday, April 18, 2026, during the first race of the ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers. A seven-car collision in the Klostertal section of the Nordschleife led to Miettinen’s death, and race control stopped the race. The cause has not been officially confirmed.
Quick answer
Seven cars were involved in a crash on the third lap in the Klostertal section. Miettinen, driving a BMW 325i, was freed from the car but could not be saved. Early reports point to a fluid leak on the racing line, but this is unconfirmed.
Key facts about the crash
| Detail | What was reported |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, April 18, 2026 |
| Event | Race 1, ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers |
| Location | Klostertal section, Nürburgring Nordschleife |
| Cars involved | Seven, including BMW 325i, Porsche, Toyota Supra and Aston Martin entries |
| Driver who died | Juha Miettinen, in BMW 325i #121 |
| Race outcome | Stopped by race control and not resumed that evening |
| Cause | Not confirmed |
What happened in the Juha Miettinen crash
The incident happened early in the race, on the third lap, at the exit of Klostertal. Wreckage blocked the track, and race control stopped the race.
Rescuers took Miettinen from his car, but he died at the medical centre after resuscitation attempts failed. According to race control, thoughts were with his family, and a minute’s silence was planned before the next race.
What caused the crash?
No official cause has been published in the sources we reviewed. Reports mention a possible oil or fluid spill on the racing line that caused a sudden loss of grip, and that is how the chain reaction is described.
Treat this as an early account. Any investigation findings would come from the organisers and authorities, not from this page.
What happened to the other drivers?
Reports said the other drivers were taken for precautionary checks at the medical centre and nearby hospitals, and none were described as life-threatening. Details may have changed since publication, so check official updates.
Why the Nordschleife is demanding
The Nordschleife is a very long, narrow road course with sudden elevation changes and little run-off in places. Mixed fields of fast and slower cars share the track, so a single fluid spill can affect many cars at once. See our World Endurance Race guide for how long-distance racing is organised.
Related crash coverage
For other motorsport incidents, read our pages on the F2 crash and the Jann Mardenborough crash.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Juha Miettinen crash happen?
It happened on Saturday, April 18, 2026, during Race 1 of the ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers.
Where on the track did the crash occur?
It occurred in the Klostertal section of the Nürburgring Nordschleife on the third lap.
How many cars were involved?
Seven cars were involved in the collision, according to race control.
What caused the crash?
The cause has not been confirmed. Early reports mention a fluid leak, possibly oil, on the racing line.
What happened to the race?
Race control stopped the race after the crash and it did not resume that evening. The result was not classified.
