Verstappen Explains Absence from Top Qualifying: ‘They Didn’t Want Me in the Car!’
Max Verstappen has clarified his absence from the Top Qualifying session at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, stating that organizers did not want him to participate following a fatal crash that claimed the life of Finnish driver Juha Miettinen. The four-time Formula 1 world champion was preparing for his first 24-hour sportscar race at the historic circuit when tragedy struck during the ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers on Saturday.
According to reports from Dutch media outlet F1 Maximaal.nl, Verstappen explained his non-participation in the qualifying session by saying the organizers “wilden me niet in de auto zetten!” which translates to “they didn’t want me in the car!” This statement came in the aftermath of a devastating seven-car crash that occurred during the endurance race, resulting in Miettinen’s death despite immediate medical intervention.
The incident took place on Saturday afternoon at the Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit in Germany, where Verstappen was using the weekend’s events as preparation for his inaugural 24-hour race scheduled for May 16-17, 2026. Organizers of the ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers confirmed that Miettinen, aged 66, died after being extracted from his vehicle following the multi-car collision. Despite resuscitation attempts at the Medical Centre, he could not be revived.
Verstappen took to Instagram to express his shock and condolences, writing: “Shocked by what happened today. Motorsport is something we all love, but in times like this it is a reminder of how dangerous it can be.” He further added: “Sending my heartfelt condolences to Juha’s family and loved ones.” A minute’s silence was subsequently held in Miettinen’s memory during the grid formation for Sunday’s race.
The crash occurred shortly before 6 p.m. Local time on the third lap near the exit of the Klostertal section, just before a steep portion of the Nordschleife. Witnesses and fellow competitors described the section as one typically taken at extremely high speeds, with drivers noting a blind right-hand corner where positioning and braking are critical. Dutch driver Rudy van Buren characterized the approach to the corner: “You come there rapidly, well above 200 kilometers per hour. Normally, you position the car and brake for the corner where it went wrong now.”
Misha Charoudin, a Russian-born Dutch driver who was participating in the race, suggested that fluid on the track may have contributed to the loss of control among multiple vehicles. “We were 200 meters behind the accident. You could see many cars losing control,” Charoudin told Dutch newspaper AD. “It’s a very fast section, so if you cannot brake, it can head very wrong there.”
The Nürburgring Nordschleife, renowned for its challenging layout spanning nearly 13 miles through wooded German hills with over 150 corners, has a storied history in motorsport. Formula 1 last raced on the full circuit in 1976, when Niki Lauda suffered severe burns in a crash that became one of the most infamous incidents in racing history. The current Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) features mixed classes competing simultaneously, often with 60 to 70 cars on track compared to the 22-car fields seen in Formula 1.
Following the crash, race control immediately halted the event to allow for recovery and rescue operations. The other six drivers involved in the collision were transported to medical centers and nearby hospitals for precautionary examinations, with organizers confirming none were in life-threatening condition. Verstappen, who was not among those directly involved in the incident, used the moment to reflect on the inherent risks of motorsport competition.
In interviews with Dutch media, Verstappen emphasized that the tragedy served as a sobering reminder of the dangers present in high-speed racing, despite the sport’s continued appeal to participants and fans worldwide. His comments underscored the delicate balance between the thrill of competition and the ever-present need for safety vigilance in motorsport.
The incident has cast a somber shadow over what was intended to be a preparatory weekend for Verstappen’s upcoming 24-hour challenge at the Nürburgring. As the motorsport community processes the loss of Juha Miettinen, attention now turns to the scheduled 24-hour race on May 16-17, 2026, where Verstappen aims to develop his debut in endurance racing’s most demanding format.
For continued updates on Verstappen’s preparation and the broader implications for motorsport safety discussions, fans are encouraged to follow official channels and verified news sources.
What are your thoughts on how motorsport organizations should balance competitive drive with safety considerations following incidents like this? Share your perspective in the comments below.
