LIA BLOCK Leaves Williams Racing to Return to Rally After Two F1 Academy Seasons

November 26, 2025

• LIA BLOCK is walking away from Williams Racing and F1 Academy after two seasons, choosing rally over open-wheel racing despite claiming one race victory during her stint with ART Grand Prix. The 19-year-old American made it clear this isn’t about burning bridges – Williams treated her “like family” – but about following her passion back to the dirt and gravel where she belongs.
• Williams handled the departure with class, confirming their continued commitment to F1 Academy while teasing their 2026 driver announcement. With all 10 current F1 teams plus Cadillac locked in for the series’ future, BLOCK’s exit opens up a coveted spot in what’s becoming the premier pathway for women in motorsports. Williams isn’t panicking – they’re planning.
• This move highlights a fascinating dynamic in women’s racing: sometimes the best career move isn’t climbing the traditional ladder. BLOCK had two years to evaluate whether F1 Academy’s open-wheel focus matched her racing DNA, and she’s chosen authenticity over expectation. Rally racing gets back a driver who clearly knows where her heart lies, while F1 Academy loses a proven race winner.

all-female f1 academy, art grand prix, rally racing, williams racing