Tom Blomqvist has won the Rolex 24 at Daytona twice, claimed the IMSA DPI championship, and raced in DTM, Formula E, and IndyCar. He also broke Lewis Hamilton's record as the youngest Formula Renault UK champion. In this conversation with Lali Michelsen, he tells the full story for the first time in one sitting.
Tom grew up between England, Sweden, and New Zealand as the son of World Rally Champion Stig Blomqvist. He talks about what his father actually taught him (it wasn't driving technique), how a surprise birthday party in Indonesia rescued his entire career, and why a single crash in IndyCar became the most embarrassing moment of his professional life.
He also explains why New Zealand keeps producing world-class drivers from a talent pool of 20 kids, what Balance of Performance actually does to manufacturer competition in IMSA, and why grassroots racing costs have gone from expensive to genuinely absurd.
Plus: the motorsport marketplace he's building, breaking a rib playing golf, and why Max Verstappen is the most naturally gifted driver he's ever raced against.
0:00 Growing Up the Son of a Rally Legend
4:07 Two Schools of Racing Dads
7:06 Why New Zealand Produces So Many Elite Drivers
9:23 From Karting to Formula Renault: Breaking Hamilton's Record
16:21 The Brutal Economics of Junior Racing
21:51 A Birthday Party That Changed Everything
28:47 DTM, Formula E, and the IndyCar Reckoning
37:15 IMSA, Meyer Shank Racing, and Two Rolex 24 Wins
41:26 Balance of Performance: The Real Story
45:37 Life Beyond Racing: Investing, Golf, and a New Venture
51:46 Favorite Track and the Most Talented Driver He's Faced
Tom grew up between England, Sweden, and New Zealand as the son of World Rally Champion Stig Blomqvist. He talks about what his father actually taught him (it wasn't driving technique), how a surprise birthday party in Indonesia rescued his entire career, and why a single crash in IndyCar became the most embarrassing moment of his professional life.
He also explains why New Zealand keeps producing world-class drivers from a talent pool of 20 kids, what Balance of Performance actually does to manufacturer competition in IMSA, and why grassroots racing costs have gone from expensive to genuinely absurd.
Plus: the motorsport marketplace he's building, breaking a rib playing golf, and why Max Verstappen is the most naturally gifted driver he's ever raced against.
0:00 Growing Up the Son of a Rally Legend
4:07 Two Schools of Racing Dads
7:06 Why New Zealand Produces So Many Elite Drivers
9:23 From Karting to Formula Renault: Breaking Hamilton's Record
16:21 The Brutal Economics of Junior Racing
21:51 A Birthday Party That Changed Everything
28:47 DTM, Formula E, and the IndyCar Reckoning
37:15 IMSA, Meyer Shank Racing, and Two Rolex 24 Wins
41:26 Balance of Performance: The Real Story
45:37 Life Beyond Racing: Investing, Golf, and a New Venture
51:46 Favorite Track and the Most Talented Driver He's Faced