Lia Block, the 18-year-old Williams F1 Academy driver and rally sensation, has once again made headlines with her impressive performance at the Boone Forest Rally, held on August 10, 2025. In a remarkable return to the rally stage, Block clinched victory in the fiercely contested L4WD class and secured a third-place finish overall, all while piloting a car she had never driven before. For a young racer balancing the worlds of single-seater circuit racing and the unpredictable thrills of rally, this latest triumph is another feather in her already decorated cap.
Block’s journey to this point has been anything but ordinary. After bursting onto the motorsport scene at just 15, she quickly established herself as a force to be reckoned with. Her early days in the American Rally Association were nothing short of spectacular. By the end of her rookie season, she had won every rally she entered, ultimately becoming the youngest champion in the history of the series in 2023. Even more impressively, she was the first female to ever claim that title, shattering long-standing barriers in the process.
“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,” Block recalled in a candid interview for the Netflix series F1: The Academy. That blend of humility and fierce competitiveness has become her trademark, endearing her to fans across both rally and single-seater disciplines.
Her latest outing at Boone Forest was particularly special, marking her first rally in a year and her debut in a brand-new car. Not that you’d know it from the result! Block, partnered with co-driver Rhianon Gelsomino, seemed to shake off any rust almost instantly. The duo’s chemistry was on full display as they powered through the stages, ultimately taking top honors in their class and finishing just two spots shy of the overall victory.
Block’s excitement was palpable in her post-race celebration. “WINNERS!!! What a rally, and what a team,” she 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.”
Seven rallies, seven podiums—now that’s a partnership for the record books. Gelsomino’s steady hand and Block’s aggressive yet calculated driving style have proven to be a winning formula time and again. It’s a testament to their mutual trust and complementary skills, both of which are essential in a sport where a split-second decision can make or break a race.
For Block, motorsport is more than a career—it’s a family legacy. The daughter of the late rally legend Ken Block, Lia grew up immersed in the world of racing. “Motorsport is definitely my first love. When I was like five or six, I was like, 'Dad, look, I can touch the pedals!'” she reminisced. “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.'”
That early exposure to the adrenaline-fueled atmosphere of rallying clearly left its mark. Yet, Block’s ambitions have never been limited to one discipline. In addition to her rally exploits, she’s made significant strides in Extreme E and Nitrocross, all while carving out a place for herself in the F1 Academy. The all-female series, now in its second season under the guidance of Susie Wolff, has provided a platform for Block and other talented women to showcase their skills in the world of open-wheel racing.
But as Block herself is quick to point out, the transition from rally to single-seaters isn’t exactly a walk in the park. “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.”
That willingness to adapt and embrace new challenges has been a hallmark of Block’s young career. Whether she’s dodging trees at breakneck speeds or mastering the precision required for circuit racing, Block brings a relentless drive and infectious enthusiasm to everything she does. Her ability to switch gears—literally and figuratively—has made her a role model for aspiring racers, especially young women looking to break into male-dominated motorsport arenas.
As she wraps up her second and final year in the F1 Academy, the motorsport world is abuzz with speculation about what comes next. Will Block double down on her single-seater ambitions, perhaps eyeing a future in Formula 1? Or will the call of the gravel and the echo of her father’s legacy lure her back to the rally stages full-time? For now, she’s keeping her options open, savoring each new experience and letting her results do the talking.
One thing’s for certain: Block’s story is far from over. Her recent success at Boone Forest is just the latest chapter in a career that’s already defied expectations and inspired countless fans. With a trophy cabinet that’s quickly filling up and a resume that spans some of motorsport’s most challenging disciplines, Block is proving that age and gender are no barriers to success at the highest levels.
“Yeah, I'm a girl, and I can still beat you,” she quipped with a trademark smile, a statement that’s as much a challenge as it is a celebration of her achievements. In a sport that thrives on competition and risk-taking, Block’s fearless approach and unwavering confidence are exactly what the next generation of drivers—and fans—need.
As the dust settles on another thrilling rally weekend, all eyes remain fixed on Lia Block. Whether she’s behind the wheel of a rally car or an open-wheel racer, one thing is clear: she’s here to stay, and she’s only just getting started.