14 November 2023 , 22:56
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Lia Block, the daughter of Ken Block, has signed with Williams Racing to join the F1 Academy and will begin racing in 2024, it was announced Tuesday. While racing for ART Grand Prix, Lia will be running the Williams Racing Driver Academy livery.
James Vowles, the Team Principal of Williams Racing, said the team is eager to have Lia join them and to see what she can do.
"We are excited to welcome Lia to Williams Racing as our F1 Academy driver for 2024," Vowles said in a statement. "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 effort to improve female representation in motorsport, and we look forward to working with Lia as a key part of the Williams Racing Driver Academy."
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Lia, 17, became the youngest-ever champion of the American Rally Association Open Two-Wheel Drive class when she won in 2023. She has also competed in Nitrocross and Extreme E and despite her career being almost exclusively off-road, being a part of the F1 Academy will provide her with a new challenge.
"I am so excited to be joining the Williams Driver Academy and competing in F1 Academy in 2024," Lia said in the statement. "This is something I never could have dreamed of. I can't wait to embrace this new experience and learn as much as possible."
Lia will be racing with Bianca Bustamante, the 18-year-old driver from the Philippines, at ART Grand Prix, though Bustamante will be using McLaren's livery.
Ken Block was a prolific driver before his tragic death in 2023. (Photo by Paulo Oliveira / DPI / NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Lia's debut will come a year after her father Ken, who appeared numerous times on Top Gear, died in a tragic snowmobile accident near his ranch in Utah. The 55-year-old was riding the snowmobile on a steep slope, which then upended and landed on him.
He was pronounced dead at the scene by police and once news of Ken's passing circulated the motorsport world, many drivers including Lewis Hamilton paid their respects to the fallen driver.
"He was such an amazing person, always lived life to the fullest," Hamilton wrote on Instagram. "I remember our first time working together and how positive he was. So much talent behind the wheel. Years ago, we had an amazing time heli-skiing and snowboarding in Canada.
"We held so much respect for one another. He will truly be missed and my thoughts and prayers go to his beautiful family. Gone too soon. Rest in peace, Ken."
Lia will be following in her father's while also carving out her path with Williams Racing.