Browse
Log in / Register
Share
On Saturday, April 5, 2025, a dramatic multi-car collision during the China GT Championship at the Shanghai International Circuit left a Ferrari engulfed in flames—and one driver trapped inside. In a selfless act that has drawn global attention, 23-year-old Dutch racer Loek Hartog abandoned his own vehicle and sprinted toward the burning car to rescue his rival, 36-year-old British driver Ollie Millroy.
As of today, April 7, 2025, Millroy remains hospitalized with severe injuries but is expected to recover. Hartog’s quick thinking and bravery not only saved a life but also sparked a much-needed conversation about emergency protocols at Chinese motorsport events.
According to reports from ABC News Australia and multiple eyewitness accounts, Hartog first tried to pull Millroy out through the driver’s side door but found it blocked by the wreckage. With flames rapidly spreading, he grabbed a nearby fire extinguisher and fought his way around the car, using the extinguisher to knock down the fire enough to reach Millroy from the passenger side. He then dragged the unconscious driver to safety just moments before the Ferrari became fully engulfed.
Millroy later wrote on social media that he owes Hartog his life. “I don’t remember the 30 seconds before the crash or the hour after—but I’ll never forget the person who pulled me out,” he said. He also noted that no marshals or fire crews were visible at the crash site, raising serious questions about the race organizer’s emergency preparedness.
Millroy sustained five broken ribs, a fractured collarbone, a broken hand and finger, and a bruised lung. He is currently recovering in a Shanghai hospital, with his family by his side. Hartog, who was unharmed in the incident, responded humbly, saying Millroy had nothing to thank him for and that he hopes others would do the same in a similar situation.
The China GT Championship organizers, in a statement to the state-run Global Times, said they would conduct a full review of the accident and prepare measures to address shortcomings in competition organization, emergency response, rescue, and medical services. However, as of the latest update, no specific timeline or concrete changes have been announced.
The rescue has gone viral on Chinese and international social media, with fans praising Hartog’s courage. Many have called for the Chinese motorsport governing body to implement stricter safety standards and mandatory on-track fire crews at all GT series events. Racing teams and drivers from around the world have also expressed solidarity with both drivers.
Hartog’s team, meanwhile, has confirmed that he will continue to compete in the remaining races of the season. “Loek’s instinct was to help, not to think about the championship. That’s the kind of driver he is,” said a team spokesperson.
This incident is not the first time safety concerns have been raised about under-card events in China. Compared to Formula 1 or World Endurance Championship races, where fire trucks and medical teams are stationed at every corner, China GT series events have sometimes been criticized for slower response times. The crash has now put pressure on the China Automobile and Motorcycle Sports Federation to enforce more rigorous standards.
Experts suggest that a dedicated fire marshal at each corner, combined with quicker extraction training for marshals, could prevent similar tragedies. The Chinese government has also been investing heavily in motorsport infrastructure in recent years, and this incident may accelerate safety upgrades.
Millroy is expected to make a full recovery but will likely miss the rest of the season. Hartog, who has been hailed as a hero by fans and fellow drivers alike, remains focused on racing. “A crash like this reminds us all that at the end of the day, we are a family,” Hartog said in a brief interview after the race.
The China GT Championship is scheduled to resume next month, with all eyes on how organizers will implement the promised safety review. For now, the racing world is grateful that a quick-thinking 23-year-old turned a potential tragedy into a story of humanity on the track.
