F1 News: Ken Block's Daughter Lia Block Set To Join Williams For 2024 F1 Academy

The 17-year-old driver holds an impressive racing record.

Williams has announced that 17-year-old American driver Lia Block will be boarding the team on the 2024 Formula 1 Academy grid as she joins the Driver Academy Programme. She is the daughter of late motorsport legend Ken Block, who passed away in a snowmobile accident earlier this year. 

The young driver has already earned a few credits for herself in Rally, Extreme E, and Rallycross. She was also the youngest American Rally Association Champion when she won the Open Two-Wheel Drive class this year.

Block will go through her first season in open-wheel racing with ART Grand Prix in F1 Academy alongside McLaren junior Bianca Bustamante. Revealing her excitement to the media, she said:

“I am so excited to be joining the Williams Driver Academy and competing in F1 Academy in 2024!

“This is something I never could have dreamed of. I can’t wait to embrace this new experience and learn as much as possible.”

Williams Press Image

Speaking on the successful selection of Block into the team, Williams team principal James Vowles said:

“We are excited to welcome Lia to Williams Racing as our F1 Academy driver for 2024. 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.”

ART Grand Prix Team Principal Sebastien Philippe added that extreme sports have been a part of Lia's DNA. He concluded:

“Extreme sports are part of Lia's DNA and her debut in high-profile international competitions attest to her talent and her adaptability to a wide range of demanding environments. At 17 years old, Lia is driven with a great determination and an appetite for major challenges, that should allow her to quickly find her place on our team and in the F1 Academy.”