Racing driver Juha Miettinen has died after a seven-car crash during the Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) qualifiers in Germany on Saturday.

The race was initially halted by a red flag before it was eventually suspended an hour later once the severity of the the multi-car collision became apparent.

Organisers said the race, which had earned extra attention due to the participation of Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen, would not resume on Saturday evening.

“Following the collision between several vehicles, race control immediately halted the race to allow for extensive recovery and rescue operations,” the race organiser said in a statement.

“Despite the immediate arrival of emergency services, the emergency medics were unable to save the driver involved after he had been extracted from the vehicle. The driver died at the medical centre after all attempts at resuscitation proved unsuccessful.”

The statement added that six other drivers were taken to hospital for examination but none of the injured were in a life-threatening condition.

Four-time Formula 1 champion Verstappen, who is due to participate in the 24-hour endurance race in May, sent his condolences on social media.

“Shocked by what’s happened today,” Verstappen wrote on social media.

“Motorsport is something we all love, but in times like this it is a reminder of how dangerous it can be.

“Sending my heartfelt condolences to Juha’s family and loved ones.”

A minute’s silence will be held in memory of Miettinen during the grid formation for Sunday’s race.