Red Bull Urged to Ban Verstappen from Nürburgring After Fatal Crash

Former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has urged Red Bull to prevent Max Verstappen from participating in future Nürburgring 24 Hours events following a fatal crash during qualifying that claimed the life of German amateur driver Juha Miettinen.

The incident occurred during Race 1 of the Nürburgring Qualifiers on April 25, 2026, when a seven-car collision resulted in Miettinen’s death at the age of 66. Verstappen was participating in the NLS4 and NLS5 qualifying sessions ahead of the 24-hour race scheduled for May 14-17, 2026.

Speaking on the MontoyaAS podcast, Montoya stated that the risks involved in such events are too high, citing potential injuries like broken limbs, and emphasized that Red Bull’s significant investment in Verstappen should justify preventing his participation in these non-F1 events.

Montoya added that he would have personally intervened if he were in Red Bull’s management position, saying he would have told Verstappen not to compete in such races anymore.

Meanwhile, former driver and Sky Sports F1 pundit Naomi Schiff has countered that Red Bull cannot effectively stop Verstappen from pursuing his racing ambitions outside of Formula 1, noting that the driver “calls the shots” regarding his participation in events like the Nürburgring 24 Hours.

Verstappen himself expressed shock following Miettinen’s death, stating that the incident demonstrated how dangerous motorsport can be and emphasizing the need to see just how perilous such situations can become.

The Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit, known for its challenging layout and nicknamed the “Green Hell,” continues to host the ADAC Ravenol 24 Hours Nürburgring event, which serves as a major endurance racing fixture on the European motorsport calendar.

As of the latest reports, Verstappen remains scheduled to compete in the upcoming Nürburgring 24 Hours race, with Red Bull yet to issue any official statement regarding his participation in light of the recent tragedy.

The incident has sparked broader discussions within the motorsport community about driver safety in endurance events, particularly concerning the participation of Formula 1 stars in non-championship races that carry inherent risks.

For ongoing updates on this developing story and other motorsport news, readers are encouraged to follow official channels and share their thoughts on the balance between racing passion and safety considerations.