Rival Driver Stops During China GT Race to Pull Crashed Racer From Burning Ferrari

Ollie Millroy says he owes his life to a rival who stopped his own race to pull him from a Ferrari that had become a fireball.

“

I am still alive tonight, entirely thanks to one man.

The British driver was involved in a multi-car crash on the seventh lap of a China GT Championship race in Shanghai on Saturday. He suffered five broken ribs, a broken collarbone, a broken hand and finger, and a bruised lung.

“I am still alive tonight, entirely thanks to one man,” Millroy wrote on Instagram. He said he could not remember the period from 30 seconds before the crash until an hour afterward, but would remember Hartog’s bravery for the rest of his life.

“

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.

Hartog said he acted instinctively after seeing a car turn into “a huge fireball.” He believed the driver might not be able to escape alone, so he stopped, got out and ran toward the car before emergency crews arrived. “There was never a moment of doubt. It was scary,” he said.

“

When I saw a car turning into a huge fireball far ahead, there wasn't really a decision to make.

Race organizers said they would investigate the incident and address shortcomings in competition management, emergency response, rescue operations and medical support. Millroy’s team, AAI Motorsport, criticized the handling of the crash and said it would no longer compete in China GT events.

“

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.