McLaren has signed up teenager Tom Blomqvist, son of 1984 World Rally Champion Stig Blomqvist, to join its Driver Development Programme. He has made outstanding progress since graduating from karting in 2009, becoming the youngest driver ever to win the Formula Renault UK Championship and then moved up to run competitively in Formula 3 in 2011.
As part of the McLaren Driver Development Programme, Blomqvist will benefit from a wealth of personalised guidance in the off-track skills demanded by his craft, as well as building on his racing performances as he climbs the motorsport ladder.
“I’m thrilled to get this opportunity with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes,” the youngster said. “The competition gets fiercer every time you step up a category, and having this level of support will really improve my strength and confidence.”
Haha saw this on autosport with the Headline
‘Blomqvist joins McLaren’s programme’
My first thought was bloody hell Stigs a bit old to be a McLaren driver.
He’s got the first thing right… VODAFONE McLaren MERCEDES. He’ll go far with the team.
Done it again Joe! Just when we think “Ah I remember him”, it turns out its his son.
Hi Joe might be worth mentioning Tom is British – thought he would be Swedish like his dad, but apparently not!
next Lewis Hamilton?
Joe,
I could say McLaren love Scandinavian drivers so he would fit in well. But Stig and son hail from Saffron Walden, Essex not quite the native Sweden. Becoming the youngest ever Formula Renault UK champion in 2010, at the age of 16 seems a good line on the resume. Might keep Lewis motivated that there is someone in the wings waiting to emulate his early days. I hope he can stay on track as a successor to Button when his days at McLaren are done. I assume he races under the British flag or does he claim Sweden?
Shame! Because I am quite sure that Scandinavian driver excellence comes from a long line of breeding where everyone has to drive on ice and snow and so has inbred fantastic car control.
He did all his karting in New Zealand (where his younger brother Paul is still racing) so we’ll put in a claim as well.
So how many are there now – Oliver Turvey, Magnussen, Nick de Vries and now Blomqvist. McLaren sure have talent on their side. In the not too distant future Hamilton will not become so indispensible