Four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen has praised young Dutch driver Loek Hartog after he saved the life of British racing driver Ollie Millroy.
The dramatic incident unfolded on Saturday during the ChinaGT Championship at the Shanghai International Circuit, sending shockwaves through the motorsport world.
Millroy’s car burst into flames following a horrific crash, with no marshals or medical personnel anywhere near the scene at the time.
The 23-year-old Hartog, recognising the life-threatening danger immediately, parked his own car and sprinted towards the burning wreck without hesitation.
He frantically pulled at the stricken car in an attempt to free Millroy, before grabbing a fire extinguisher to try to bring the flames under control.
Hartog managed to suppress the fire long enough to reach the driver’s side door and physically drag Millroy’s body clear of the burning car.
Track personnel only arrived with their own fire extinguishers well over a minute after the initial crash, underscoring just how critical Hartog’s intervention truly was.
Millroy was subsequently found to have suffered five broken ribs, a broken collarbone, a broken hand and finger, and a bruised lung as a result of the incident.
Speaking at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, Verstappen expressed his admiration, saying: “It was unbelievable, he did an amazing job.”
The 28-year-old Red Bull driver added: “I have huge respect for that. I think he wouldn’t have made it through without him. It was really a beautiful moment.”
Despite his serious injuries, Millroy later posted an emotional tribute to Hartog on social media, describing his actions as an “incredible act of bravery.”
“I am still alive tonight,” Millroy wrote, “entirely thanks to one man. Loek Hartog stopped instantly with no flag marshalls or fire crews in sight, and risked his own life to get me out of the car.”
The 36-year-old Brit added: “I don’t remember anything between 30 seconds before the crash and 1 hour after it, but I will remember his incredible act of bravery for the rest of my life.”
Millroy also wrote movingly about his children, saying: “One day I will tell our three kids this story and Loek will be the biggest superhero in history in their eyes too.”
He concluded his message with a direct tribute: “Thank you Loek. I owe you my life for your selfless act today.”
Despite the widespread acclaim and an outpouring of praise from fans across the globe, Hartog remained modest about his actions in the immediate aftermath.
“When I saw a car engulfed in a huge ball of fire in front of me, there wasn’t really a decision to be made,” Hartog wrote on his own social media channels.
He explained further: “From what I could see, I naturally assumed the driver couldn’t get out on his own, so I stopped, got out and went over to the car. I never had any doubts.”