A spectator has been killed after an incident in which the Nissan GT3 sportscar driven by Britain’s Jann Mardenborough left the track during a race at the Nürburgring on Saturday. Several other spectators were injured and have been hospitalised.
Mardenborough was competing in the VLN endurance race on the classic Nordschleife circuit at the Nürburgring in a Nissan GT3 Nismo, which came off the track and landed in the crowd. The race was stopped and not restarted, and there is no indication as yet as to what caused the accident.
Nissan issued a statement, saying: “The car is reported to have left the track at the ‘Flugplatz’ section and vaulted the catch fencing, landing on its roof in a spectator area. Several spectators were injured in the incident and despite immediate efforts one of them succumbed to their injuries. The others have been taken immediately to hospital for care.”
The organisers of the VLN stated: “The opening round of the VLN Endurance Championship at the Nürburgring was marred by an accident on Saturday which injured several spectators. One of the spectators died, despite the immediate actions of the rescue crew in the medical centre at the circuit. The other injured spectators have been taken to hospital for ongoing medical care.
“The VLN and the organisers are deeply saddened by the accident, and their thoughts are with the families and friends of the victims.”
Mardenborough, who got out of the car and was seen standing next to it after the incident, was taken to hospital for routine checks after being assessed at the circuit’s medical facility.
The 23-year-old rose to prominence after winning the Nissan PlayStation academy videogame competition and has since gone from strength to strength, securing a podium at the Le Mans 24 Hours, a win for Arden International in GP3 last year and this year was selected by Nissan to drive their new prototype in the FIA World Endurance Championship and the Le Mans 24.
Nissan’s statement continued: “Today’s events have been a tragedy. We are all deeply shocked and saddened and our immediate thoughts go to the deceased, those injured and their families and friends. The team is fully co-operating with the race organisers to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation into this incident.”
The 14-mile Nordschleife circuit at the Nürburgring in the Eifel mountains, dubbed “The Green Hell” by Jackie Stewart after his win in the German Grand Prix there in 1968, ceased to be used for Formula One in 1976 after Niki Lauda’s terrible accident that year and after drivers had expressed concerns over safety for some time at the circuit, including cars going airborne.
It has been used since, however, for sportscar racing and can be driven on track days by members of the public. The Nordschleife is notable for its striking twists and turns and elevation changes and has several viewing areas in close proximity to the track, one of the factors that made it so popular with German racing fans.
