Who was Juha Miettinen?
Juha Miettinen was a 66-year-old Finnish endurance racer, and the name was known and respected around the Nürburgring. He probably wasn’t a global star like Formula 1 drivers, but in the endurance racing community he was considered someone who had a real passion for the sport. He regularly took part in events such as the Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS) and the RCN Championship, gradually establishing himself on one of the most demanding circuits in the world.
It is a single picture that was taken at the moment of the accident
(Yes, I no longer have a smooth picture today, the onboards are on the way to the racetrack.)pic.twitter.com/Ybj23hBaQ9 https://t.co/oKqmoYcuxv
— Nachez (@Nachez98) April 18, 2026
Juha Miettinen, who many consider to be a real “Nordschleife lover”, had a special bond with the Nürburgring. This track, known as the “Green Hell,” is legendary for challenging even the most experienced riders, and for Miettinen it almost felt like his second home. He returned to the racetrack year after year.
In fact, his sports career did not begin with motorsports. Before racing, he actually played youth soccer.
Juha Miettinen’s main achievements:
V4 class champion (2023): Achieved the title in the V4 class of the Nürburgring Endurance Series by winning three races and finishing on the podium in all nine events.
Regular leader (2024): 5th place overall in the class, strong performance with several podium finishes in the first part of the season.
Nürburgring expert: Has competed in 54 games on the Nordschleife since 2018, clearly demonstrating his commitment to endurance racing.
Race wins and podiums: Achieved 5 wins and 25 podiums in his division at the Nürburgring races.
Regular long-distance races: Well-known and respected participant in the Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS) and 24-hour endurance race.
Veteran figure: Deserved trust as a reliable and experienced driver on one of the most difficult race tracks in the world.
What happened in the Nürburgring accident?
On the day of the incident, Miettinen was driving a BMW 325i for the Keeevin Sports and Racing Team when the accident occurred on the difficult Klostertal section of the Nordschleife. Initial evidence suggests that a fluid leak on the track may have caused cars to suddenly lose grip at high speeds. In such conditions there was very little time to react and a chain reaction accident occurred involving seven cars.
Emergency responders were on scene almost immediately and Miettinen was quickly removed from his vehicle and taken to the circuit’s medical center. But despite all efforts to revive him, he succumbed to his injuries. The six other drivers involved were also medically examined; fortunately, none of them suffered life-threatening injuries.
Max Verstappen reacts
The incident shocked the motorsport world. Four-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen wrote on social media: “I am shocked by what happened today. Motorsport is something we all love, but at times like these it is a reminder of how dangerous it can be. I send my deepest condolences to Juha’s family and their loved ones.”
