No evidence of tyre or vehicle defects in Goodyear Nürburgring test accident

In response to a request for information from regional public broadcaster SWR, the public prosecutor’s office (Staatswanwaltschaft) in Koblenz, Germany has confirmed that tyre damage caused the accident which claimed the lives of two Goodyear associates at the Nürburgring last August. The office told SWR an expert has established that the right rear tyre was damaged before the fatal collision.

This damage was potentially caused by a foreign object lying on the track or by driving over the lane markings. The public prosecutor’s office states that it has dropped the case as there is no evidence of material defects, technical faults, or a vehicular defect.

Car makers and other firms within the automotive industry test their products during Industry Pool sessions at the Nürburgring. These sessions take place 16 weeks a year. According to the Nürburgring, companies typically use professional test drivers who have a very good knowledge of the track. Accidents with injuries are therefore very rare during such drives. Rescue measures were initiated immediately after the August 2023 accident.