Lia Block, Williams F1 Academy driver and daughter of rally legend Ken Block, captured the L4WD class win at The Boone Forest Rally with a remarkable third place overall. Competing in 2024’s rally event, Block’s recent success highlights her ongoing effort to balance her rally career with her progression in single-seater racing.

From Rally Roots to Single-Seaters: Block’s Diverse Motorsport Background

At just 18 years old, Lia Block is in her second and final season with the all-female Williams F1 Academy, an initiative led by Susie Wolff. While focused on developing her single-seater skills, Block’s history includes impressive achievements in rallying and electric off-road series. In 2023, she became the youngest champion in the American Rally Association, underscoring her rally expertise.

Aside from rally, Block has also competed in Extreme E and Nitrocross, showcasing her adaptability across varied motorsport disciplines. Her experience balances the technical demands of rally driving with the precision required for open-wheel racing.

Celebrating a Successful Rally Weekend with Rhianon Gelsomino

Following the Boone Forest Rally victory, Block shared her excitement on social media:

“WINNERS!!! What a rally, and what a team,”

she wrote, celebrating a first-place finish in the L4WD class and third overall. She credited teammate Rhianon Gelsomino, with whom she has maintained a perfect record of podium finishes across seven rallies together.

“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.”

Influence of Ken Block and Commitment to Motorsport

Lia Block’s path in racing is deeply inspired by her father Ken Block, whose legacy in rallying left a lasting impression. She reflected on her early passion during the Netflix series F1: The Academy, sharing how motorsport captured her interest from a very young age:

“Motorsport is definitely my first love. When I was like five or six, I was like, ‘Dad, look, I can touch the pedals!’”

Growing up immersed in racing environments helped shape her ambitions.

“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.’”

Starting rally at age 15, she rapidly succeeded, winning every event she entered and ultimately securing a championship, becoming the first female to achieve this feat. With determination, she added with a smile:

“Yeah, I’m a girl, and I can still beat you.”

Navigating the Challenges of Switching Between Rally and F1 Disciplines

Despite sharing the motorsports umbrella, Block explained the vast differences between rally and Formula 1 racing. She described rallying as a dynamic, swinging style focused on racing against the clock, while open-wheel racing demands a completely different approach. Reflecting on her transition, she said:

“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.”

The Future Outlook for Lia Block’s Racing Ambitions

Lia Block’s recent win at The Boone Forest Rally underscores her continued strength in rallying even as she advances her single-seater career with Williams Racing and ART Grand Prix. Her journey is one of balancing heritage, passion, and evolving skills, while contributing to the visibility of women in motorsports. With multiple podiums and a championship already to her name, her trajectory points toward a promising and versatile future in racing.