Tom Blomqvist starred at his first race of 2019 at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife as the BMW Factory Driver took pole position before going on to record the fastest lap and secure his first podium of the year at a fog-shortened affair at the ‘Green Hell’.
Joining Blomqvist in the #98 BMW M6 GT3 of ROWE Racing for the race, were team-mates Connor De Phillippi and Mikkel Jensen. Despite a delay in proceedings at the Nürburgring Nordschleife due to heavy fog, which saw the race length reduced from 4 hours to 2:45 hours, the action finally got underway at the legendary race track and Tom was put on qualifying duties for the #98 BMW.
Tom then showcased his talents around the 25.378-kilometre circuit as he dominated pole position with a storming 8:01.192-minute lap time, that was 0.980-seconds quicker than the next car - with the same gap covering the next five places.
For the race, teammate Connor De Phillippi took the start for the #98 and he held an early lead after a flawless start. Tom was the next in the car as he took the wheel of the #98 on lap six and it didn’t take him long to get settled as he recorded the fastest lap of the race on lap eight. A blistering 8:03.373-minute lap time that was almost a second quicker than any other car.
However, as strategy played out and the race got closer to its 2-hour, 45-minute finish time, Tom and the team slipped back out of the lead and into third place. Mikkel Jensen eventually then took the chequered flag for the #98 as Tom collected his first podium of the year in only his second race of 2019.
Reflecting on a positive first outing at the Nurburgring-Nordschleife, Tom added.
“All in all, a very positive first outing here at my favourite track in the world. Pole, fastest lap and a 3rd place finish place to end the day is not bad at all. I think we are all slightly disappointed not to get the win after leading most the race but at least it stayed within the team. Congrats to the #99 and of course a huge thanks to my teammates, the team and BMW Motorsport for a great car & weekend”
In association with MBP
