Williams F1 Academy driver Lia Block takes L4WD victory at Boone Forest in rally return

Williams F1 Academy driver Lia Block has clinched another rally victory.

Block joined F1 Academy for her debut season in 2024. Now in her second and final year of the all-female racing series led by Susie Wolff, she has the decision of whether to continue pursuing a career in single-seaters or return to the world of rally.

The 18-year-old driver has previous experience racing in the American Rally Association, Extreme E, and Nitrocross. In 2023, she became the youngest champion in the American Rally Association. Now, Block has clinched a victory in the L4WD class of The Boone Forest Rally and a third-place finish overall.

"WINNERS!!! What a rally, and what a team," the American driver wrote on Instagram. "1st in the L4WD class and even 3rd overall.

"First time in this car and first rally in a year. So nice to be smelling of champagne right now… it’s been a while. Rhianon Gelsomino and I are now 7 for 7 on podiums for rallies we have done together, could never do it without her. Thank you to the sponsors who made this possible."

The Williams Academy driver, who is the daughter of the late rally legend Ken Block, spoke about her career path and adapting to single-seaters during the Netflix series F1: The Academy.

"Motorsport is definitely my first love. When I was like five or six, I was like, 'Dad, look, I can touch the pedals!'

Lia Block, ART Grand Prix with Williams Racing

Photo by: Williams

"Watching my dad, being in race paddocks, it was a big part of my life, and I think it just made me know, 'oh yes, this is actually what I want to do.

"I was 15 when I did my first rally, and from there I won every rally 'til the end, and then won the championship. First female to ever do so.

"Yeah, I'm a girl, and I can still beat you," she added with a smile.

"Rally and F1, yeah, they are under the motorsports umbrella but it's like comparing apples and oranges. It's so different. It's a different driving style. In rally, you are swinging the car around the corners, it's a race against time, but now trying F1 Academy and open-wheel, I kind of had to scrap everything and start over."