Lia Block drives into top 5 in Singapore’s F1 Academy Series

Lia Block racing F1 for Williams Academy in Singapore. Photo: Courtesy of Williams Racing

SINGAPORE — Park City teenager Lia Block, racing for Williams Racing Driver Academy, posted two personal best finishes in her car racing career.

Block, racing in the F1 Academy Series held in Singapore, qualified P4 for both races, starting from the second row against more experienced drivers. In Race 1, got her elbows out at the start and defended P4 against Chloe Chambers and Hamda Al Qubaisi and stayed with the lead pack before finishing comfortably in fourth.

While the three leading drivers have all had years of circuit racing, rookie Block didn’t look out of place being among them. She stayed with the trio for the first half of the race, and was ahead of Chambers in P5, before the finish. Block narrowly missed out on a podium trip after Doriane Pin received a five-second penalty, but finished 5.2s ahead by the checkered flag.

In Race 2, Block again held off challenges, including a Safety Car restart from Nerea Marti, to secure another P4 finish. This time Block had to retain her place twice with a Safety Car restart attack from Nerea Marti needing more robust defensive driving. The result means Block tripled her 2024 points tally by taking 24 home from Singapore to go with her existing 12, launching her up the standings to P8.

Block tripled her 2024 points, rising to P8 in the standings. The F1 Academy returns for its final rounds in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.