Loek Hartog was shocked by an unexpected birthday visit from the Dutch driver who saved his life a month earlier in Shanghai, along with his business partner Wiep Foeken.
Unplanned Arrival in Amsterdam
Ollie Millroy flew into Amsterdam from Dubai with his wife Fern on the day after Hartog’s birthday, surprising the Porsche driver and Foeken at a local café. The meetup marked the first time the two drivers, first connected by a frantic rescue at Shanghai International Circuit, had a face‑to‑face conversation about the incident with a degree of calm.
Millroy added Fern to the gathering, whose emotional video message to Hartog on Dutch television had been well‑known. “Brothers from two different mothers,” the Porsche champion noted, underscoring how the two men felt where at least a week had passed since their dramatic hospital encounter.
A Gift That Says More Than Words
During the lunch, Millroy presented Hartog with an engraved Rolex, bearing a personalized message of thanks. The timepiece and a framed photo of the two men were both kept on a display at Hartog’s home, according to the driver’s own Instagram caption.
Hartog remarked that the watch was “incredibly special” and that the gesture of arriving under the pretense of a lunch outing added a “really special” layer to an already profound friendship.
Drivers Share Their Perspective
Millroy commented on the Instagram video, describing the trip as “the least we could do” and noting that “our story has just started” as they seek to prevent future incidents that force drivers into emergency situations.
Porsche IMSA driver Ryan Hardwick praised the apology with a comment that the watch “represents the most precious gift of all: Time.” Other GT drivers reacted with terse emoji–laden messages, acknowledging the camaraderie that had grown from shared peril.
What’s Next for the Two Friends?
Millroy expressed enthusiasm about future gatherings, while Hartog noted that the moment still feels slightly surreal. Both drivers remain committed “to make sure that no two drivers have to meet again under the same circumstances,” signalling a shared interest in safety initiatives for the sport.
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