European Formula 3 runner-up Tom Blomqvist has secured a BMW DTM drive for the 2015 season.
The 21-year-old Briton, who edged out 2015 Toro Rosso Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen to take second in European F3 behind Esteban Ocon last year, impressed BMW in an evaluation test at Jerez in December.
“I cannot put into words just how delighted I am to have been signed up by BMW Motorsport,” said Blomqvist.
“After the test in Spain, I was able to envisage just how it would feel to be a BMW works driver and regularly push myself to the limit in the BMW M4 DTM.
“Now I have the opportunity to do just that – and it’s just fantastic.”
Blomqvist completes BMW’s DTM line-up for the new season, and takes the spot left vacant by Joey Hand’s departure.
BMW has yet to announce which of its DTM teams it will place Blomqvist with.
The firm’s motorsport chief Jens Marquardt hopes Blomqvist can continue BMW’s record of success with young DTM recruits. Its reigning champion Marco Wittmann secured the crown in only his second season.
“We are delighted to welcome another very promising youngster into our ranks in the form of Tom Blomqvist,” said Marquardt.
“Tom was extremely impressive at the test in Jerez, and comes to us with a wealth of experience from Formula 3.
“I am confident he has everything he needs to find his feet quickly in the DTM.
“With his likeable personality he is definitely a great asset to our line-up.
“We have done well with our choice of rookies so far. We will support Tom to the best of our ability to be successful from the word go in 2015.”
2015 DTM LINE-UP
Audi
Mattias Ekstrom, Mike Rockenfeller, Timo Scheider, Miguel Molina, Edoardo Mortara, Adrien Tambay, Jamie Green, Nico Muller
BMW
Marco Wittmann, Martin Tomczyk, Maxime Martin, Bruno Spengler, Augusto Farfus, Timo Glock, Antonio Felix da Costa, Tom Blomqvist
Mercedes
Paul di Resta, Christian Vietoris, Robert Wickens, Pascal Wehrlein (HWA), Daniel Juncadella, Maximillian Gotz (Mucke), Gary Paffett, Lucas Auer (ART)
I believe that Tom is a Kiwi from NZ not English!
Born in the UK, lived in NZ for a number of years before returning to England at 15 to continue his racing career. Pity he didn’t choose rallying. Similar to Carlos Sainz Jr.