The Nurburgring 24 Hours race weekend took a somber turn on Saturday with the tragic death of Finnish driver Juha Miettinen in a seven-car crash. This incident cast a shadow over the NLS5 race, which will take place on Sunday with a minute's silence in Miettinen's memory. The race itself is a significant event, featuring Max Verstappen, the four-time Formula 1 world champion, in his final preparation race for the Nurburgring 24 Hours. Verstappen will be joined by team-mate Lucas Auer, starting in fifth place. The race will be broadcast, offering viewers the main coverage and an onboard feed from Verstappen's car, providing an intimate perspective on the action. The pole position is held by Thierry Vermeulen, son of Verstappen's manager, in the #45 Ferrari, alongside David Perel, Dennis Marschall, and Thomas Neubauer. This race promises to be an emotional and highly competitive event, with the weight of Miettinen's loss hanging over the proceedings. The tragedy has undoubtedly added a layer of significance to the race, making it a moment of reflection and respect for the sport and its community.
