Lia answers your questions

It’s not just Formula 1 that’s back in action this weekend, as F1 Academy also returns to the billing.

Lia Block is busy gearing up for Round 4 of the 2024 campaign, coming into this weekend off the back of her strongest weekend in the series to date back in June.

This will be Lia’s competitive debut at Zandvoort, however she has experience of the undulating Dutch venue after two days of testing around the 4.25km circuit in April.

Ahead of her return to the track, Lia dropped into Grove and we invited our fans on Instagram to ask our young American a question.

Plenty flew in, covering various topics, and first up she was quizzed on her ultimate career ambition.

“I would say the one thing I want to achieve in my career would probably be racing in a top championship, whether that's in F1, WRC [World Rally Championship} or World RX [World Rally Cross],” she said.

Next Lia was tasked with selecting the best drive of her career to date, settling on a memorable weekend in 2023 when the then 16-year-old and her co-driver Rhianon Gelsomino, battled to P1 in class and P6 overall at the Southern Ohio Forest Rally.

“I would say the best drive of my career would probably be the Southern Ohio Rally last year,” she revealed.

“I wasn't doing so hot on the first day, but I really turned it around and won the rally, so that was a big one for me.”

One fan wanted to know what it takes to be an F1 Academy racer, and Lia went into detail regarding her gym schedule.

“So training for me depends on the week, and depends where I am,” she explained.

“I'm not home too often so I don't have a gym where I can go consistently. But on a normal week, I would go to the gym almost every day, have one rest day and then do that as much as possible.”

Everyone has their biggest inspirations in whatever pursuit their life takes them. Lia disclosed who she looked up to the most in another question, settling on a legendary French rally driver.

“I would say my favourite inspiration in motorsports would probably be Michèle Mouton,” she said.

“She was a big figure when I was younger and back in the 80s doing rally - she was just a bada** in general, and I've always looked up to my mum and dad as well.

The final question of the batch was a popular topic - her favourite cuisine:

“So I think my favourite food would probably be sushi. It was the first thing I ate when I was younger, so it has just kind of stuck!”

You can keep up to date on Lia’s progress at Zandvoort this weekend with our live blog, right here on WilliamsF1.com and our official app.