A TEENAGE motor racing champion is well and truly on the route to formula one after a record breaking season at the wheel.

Saffron Walden’s Tom Blomqvist, 16, has became the youngest ever winner of the Formula Renault UK Championship, beating the record set by Lewis Hamilton.

He claimed the overall prize with a nail biting second-place finish in the last race of the season giving him just a six-point victory over his nearest rival Lewis Williamson.

Speaking during a post-race race interview with ITV, which broadcast the entire race, he said: “It’s awesome. It’s an amazing feeling. I am lost for words and I really cannot believe it.

“Being my first year it’s been a steep learning curve and we struggled at the start but we gradually got better and better and to win the title is just amazing.”

Blomqvist sealed the title at Brands Hatch after going into Sunday’s race on level points with Williamson.

He produced a calm drive that belied his young age. Starting second on the grid he brought his Fortec Motorsport car home without any incident – taking the plaudits of the team and the crowd as he crossed the line.

The championship win opens up a whole world of opportunity for the teenager and he has already been picked out for a British Motorsport award which could see him take the wheel of a McLaren F1 for a test drive.

Commenting on his plans for next year Blomqvist added: “It all depends on budget really but Formula Three is one possibility we have looked at.

“It’s still sinking in at the moment that I’ve won! It was great to have my dad here watching me this weekend too.”

Racing runs in the blood of the family as the youngster’s father is rally legend Stig Blomqvist. He was clearly proud of his son and challenged him to go further. “If he is this good now, then who knows how far he can go,” he said.

Williamson also paid tribute to Walden’s racer and said the “best driver won”. He added: “I tried to push Tom and the rest of the Fortec drivers as much as I could in the final round but it wasn’t to be”.