American teenager Lia Block to race in next year's F1 Academy season for ART team
WANTAGE, England (AP) — American teenager Lia Block will drive for the ART Grand Prix team in next year's F1 Academy season, Formula One team Williams said Tuesday.
The 17-year-old Block will represent Williams on the 2024 F1 Academy grid after joining the Williams Driver Academy program.
“This is something I never could have dreamed of,” Block said. "I can’t wait to embrace this new experience and learn as much as possible.”
Block has competed in numerous disciplines, including rally, Extreme E and rallycross. She became the youngest American Rally Association champion in history when she won the Open Two-Wheel Drive class this year.
Her debut in F1 Academy racing marks her first full season of open-wheel racing, and Williams said she recently underwent testing in open-wheel cars to prepare for the challenge.
“As part of the Williams Racing Driver Academy, the team will be supporting Lia’s learning and development to maximize her potential throughout the F1 Academy season,” Williams said. “She will work closely with the team.”
The F1 Academy series for female drivers has an expanded schedule in 2024 with a more prominent role in grand prix weekends.
All seven F1 Academy events will be held as support races for the F1 championship. Of the six F1 Academy events in this year’s inaugural season, only the finale — held at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas — supported an F1 event.
Williams team principal James Vowles has high hopes for Block.
“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,” Vowles said. "We cannot wait to get started on this journey together.”
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