Lia Block Joins Williams for 2024 F1 Academy

17-Year Old Driver Races in Open-Wheel Comp.

Williams Racing revealed on Tuesday that they have contracted Lia Block to represent them in the 2024 Formula 1 Academy competition. Block stated her intentions of competing for the entirety of the year with ART Grand Prix squad.

A seventeen-year-old motorist from the United States initiated racing go-karts at eleven years old, and afterwards engaged in competition in Stage Rally, Rallycross, Extreme E, and the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb. Not long ago, they triumphed in the Open Two-Wheel Drive Classification of the American Rally Association.

The annunciation of Block’s agreement with Williams occurred nearly twelve months after the tragic demise of her parent; celebrity motor enthusiast and Hoonigan founder, Ken Block, who passed away in a snowmobile incident. In the time since then, Block has been featured at several motorsport proceedings piloting her late father’s vehicles.

I am totally thrilled to have the opportunity to partake in the Williams Driver Academy while contesting in the F1 Academy of 2024, Block revealed in an announcement. Something I never imagined would ever come to fruition like this. I am aspiringly looking forward to accepting this new experience and gaining as much knowledge as I can.

ART Grand Prix will be joined by 18-year-old Filipino racer Bianca Bustamante, who’s had previous experience in the W Series and Formula 4.

“Lia’s accomplishments in motorsport to date have been remarkable,” commented Williams team principal James Vowles. “She has a remarkable natural ability and the champion mentality and commitment to make a success of her transition into open-wheel racing.”

Block shall appear in each and every one of the seven heats of the Formula 1 supporting series, acting as a guest competitor at contests taking place in Saudi Arabia, Miami, Barcelona, Zandvoort, Singapore, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

“We are beyond excited to take this journey with Lia,” said Vowles. “The Williams Racing Driver Academy and Formula 1 are devoted to raising the number of women in motorsport, and Lia will be a major part of this mission. We can’t wait to get started!”