A driver has died following a crash in an endurance sportscar race on Saturday at the Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit in Germany, where four-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen was also preparing to race.<\/p>\n
Organizers of the ADAC 24h Nurburgring Qualifiers said that Juha Miettinen died after a crash involving seven cars. He was 66.<\/p>\n
\u201cFollowing the collision between several vehicles, race control immediately halted the race to allow for extensive recovery and rescue operations,\u201d they said in a statement.<\/p>\n
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cDespite 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Organisers said the other six drivers were taken to the medical center and nearby hospitals for precautionary examinations and that none were in a life-threatening condition.<\/p>\n Verstappen, who is using this weekend\u2019s races as part of his preparations for his first 24-hour sportscar race at the historic circuit on May 16-17, posted a message of condolence on social media.<\/p>\n \u201cShocked by what happened today,\u201d Verstappen wrote on Instagram.<\/p>\n \u201cMotorsport is something we all love, but in times like this it is a reminder of how dangerous it can be.<\/p>\n \u201cSending my heartfelt condolences to Juha\u2019s family and loved ones.\u201d<\/p>\n A minute\u2019s silence will be held in memory of Miettinen during the grid formation for Sunday\u2019s race.<\/p>\n Running nearly 21km through wooded German hills, with more than 150 corners and barriers often close to the track, the Nordschleife layout at the Nurburgring is known for high-risk thrills.<\/p>\n F1 hasn\u2019t used it since 1976, when then reigning champion Niki Lauda suffered severe burns in a crash.<\/p>\n