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April 11, 2025 – A split-second decision on a Shanghai racetrack turned a Dutch driver into a hero. Loek Hartog abandoned his own car during a China GT Championship race to pull a trapped rival from a burning Ferrari, an act that British driver Ollie Millroy says saved his life.
Millroy, 34, was involved in a multi-car collision on the seventh lap at the Shanghai International Circuit. His Ferrari 488 GT3 burst into flames after impact, leaving him with five broken ribs, a broken collarbone, a broken hand and finger, and a bruised lung. Hartog, racing for a different team, saw the fireball ahead and instantly stopped.
“I saw a car turning into a huge fireball far ahead. There wasn’t really a decision to make,” Hartog told reporters after the incident. “From what I had seen, I genuinely believed the driver might not be able to get out by himself. I stopped, got out and went towards the car. There was never a moment of doubt. It was scary.”
Millroy, who was unconscious for several minutes, later posted on Instagram: “I am still alive tonight, entirely thanks to one man. I don’t remember anything between 30 seconds before the crash and one hour after it, but I will remember his incredible act of bravery for the rest of my life.”
The rescue came before emergency crews arrived, highlighting a critical gap in race response. Race organizers have since launched an investigation, promising to address “shortcomings in competition management, emergency response, rescue operations and medical support.” Millroy’s team, AAI Motorsport, publicly criticized the handling of the accident and announced it would no longer compete in China GT events.
As of this week, Millroy remains hospitalized in Shanghai but is expected to be transferred to a UK facility for further rehabilitation. Speaking exclusively through a team representative, Millroy said: “I’m focused on recovery, but I can’t stop thinking about Loek’s boldness. He didn’t hesitate. That’s the kind of person we need in motorsport.”
Hartog has been praised by peers across the paddock. Seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton tweeted: “Incredible bravery from Loek. This is what real sportsmanship looks like.” The FIA has also contacted China GT officials to offer technical assistance in improving safety protocols.
Multiple sources close to the China GT series confirm that organizers are now considering mandatory fire-suppression suits for all drivers, increased on-track marshals, and faster medical vehicle deployment. A senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “We cannot let a driver rely on a rival’s goodwill. The system failed, and we are fixing it.”
The incident echoes past tragedies where drivers were trapped in burning cars without immediate help. In 2019, Formula 2 driver Anthoine Hubert died after a crash at Spa-Francorchamps, prompting the FIA to overhaul cockpit safety and emergency procedures. Experts note that China GT, while a national series, operates under less stringent safety standards than top-tier international championships.
“The fact that a competitor had to stop and perform a rescue is a red flag,” said Dr. James Larkin, a motorsport safety consultant. “Fire suppression systems, quick-extraction harnesses, and well-trained medics are not optional. China GT must align with global best practices or risk further tragedies.”
AAI Motorsport has filed a formal complaint with the Chinese Automobile Federation, demanding a full review of the race’s emergency response timeline. The team’s statement read: “We are grateful no one died, but the outcome was due to individual heroism, not institutional safety. That must change.”
The China GT Championship is scheduled to continue its season in May at the Zhuhai International Circuit. However, several teams have privately expressed concerns about safety. Some are considering boycotting the next round until concrete reforms are announced. Hartog, meanwhile, has been offered a free entry to the next race by organizers as a gesture of gratitude, but he has declined, saying “I did what any driver should do. The focus should be on Ollie’s recovery and making the sport safer.”
Millroy’s long-term prognosis is positive. Doctors expect him to regain full mobility within six months, though he may miss the rest of the racing season. He has not yet decided whether to return to China GT if the series continues.
The bond forged in flames between two rivals has become a defining moment of the 2025 motorsport calendar. As one fan wrote on social media: “Loek Hartog didn’t just win a race. He won the human race.”
