Seventeen-year-old Lia Block, daughter of the late stunt driver and rally racer Ken Block, is set to represent Williams Racing in the 2024 F1 Academy season. This marks her first full season in open-wheel racing, competing with the ART Grand Prix team.
Key Takeaways
Lia Block will join the 2024 F1 Academy series, representing Williams Racing.
This will be her first full season in open-wheel racing.
Lia has a background in karting and rallying, starting at age 11.
She is the youngest American Rally Association champion in history.
The F1 Academy series aims to improve female representation in motorsport.
A New Chapter in Lia Block's Racing Career
Lia Block's journey into motorsport began at a young age, racing in karts and rallying. Her debut in the F1 Academy will be a significant milestone, marking her first full season in open-wheel racing. Lia has been preparing for this new challenge by testing in open-wheel cars, although she acknowledges the steep learning curve ahead.
“I am so excited to be joining the Williams Driver Academy and competing in F1 Academy in 2024,” Lia said. “This is something I never could have dreamed of. I can’t wait to embrace this new experience and learn as much as possible.”
Support from Williams Racing
As part of the Williams Racing Driver Academy, Lia will receive extensive support to maximize her potential throughout the F1 Academy season. She will work closely with the F1 team to hone her skills, benefiting from the full spectrum of Academy support.
“We are excited to welcome Lia to Williams Racing as our F1 Academy driver for 2024,” said Williams boss James Vowles. “Lia has already achieved a tremendous amount in motorsport, has incredible natural talent, and the champion mindset and dedication to make a success of her journey into open-wheel racing.
“We cannot wait to get started on this journey together. As a team, we are committed to Formula 1 and F1 Academy’s joint efforts to improve female representation in motorsport, and we look forward to working with Lia as a key part of the Williams Racing Driver Academy.”
The F1 Academy Series
The F1 Academy, an all-female racing series established by Formula 1, will enter its second season in 2024. Each Formula 1 team will field a driver, with all seven rounds of the series supporting F1 races across Europe, Asia, and North America. The championship will commence in Saudi Arabia and include rounds in Miami, Barcelona, Zandvoort, Singapore, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi.
According to Dirtfish.com, Lia may also try to compete in some American Rally Association races in 2024, depending on her F1 Academy commitments.
Conclusion
Lia Block's entry into the 2024 F1 Academy series represents a significant step in her racing career. With the support of Williams Racing and the F1 Academy, she is poised to make a mark in the world of open-wheel racing while contributing to the broader goal of improving female representation in motorsport.
Sources
Lia Block to go open-wheel racing with 2024 F1 Academy series - Hagerty Media, Hagerty.
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