British racing driver Ollie Millroy expressed gratitude towards fellow driver Loek Hartog for saving his life after a horrific crash during the China GT Championship at the Shanghai International Circuit. Millroy, 36, was hit by two cars, causing his Ferrari to ignite and slam into safety barriers on October 1, 2023.

Stuck in the burning wreckage, a barely conscious Millroy was rescued by Hartog, who acted swiftly to extinguish the flames and pull him from the car. Millroy recounted the harrowing experience from his hospital bed, stating, "He acted instantly and did everything right." He described watching the incident unfold on video as surreal, likening it to a rehearsed movie scene.

Hartog, 23, shared his emotional response, noting the urgency he felt as he assessed the situation. It took him 59 seconds from stopping his car to freeing Millroy, a moment he wishes had been quicker. Their bond deepened through this traumatic experience, with Millroy recalling their tears as Hartog recounted the rescue.

Millroy sustained multiple fractures and a punctured lung, leaving him with gaps in his memory around the crash. He expressed the psychological struggle of piecing together the event, stating, "It's a strange feeling - I'm still not coming to terms with it."

The two drivers plan to reunite soon, with Millroy’s wife Fern expressing her emotional gratitude towards Hartog for saving her husband. Millroy humorously lamented not being able to take Hartog out for a nicer dinner, as he remains hospitalized. He praised Hartog's character, emphasizing that true sportsmanship transcends competition, stating, "He made a decision that day he was going to prioritize something else other than sport, and that's what saved my life."