Interview
Block hails first F1 ACADEMY podium in Zandvoort as the start of 2025 ‘redemption arc’
Lia Block was overjoyed to have scored her first F1 ACADEMY podium with a mature performance in Zandvoort Race 1 and the Williams driver is hopeful that this could herald the turnaround in results she’s longed for this season.
Starting from third on the reverse grid, Block swooped past Tina Hausmann through the first corner and tried to keep up with Nina Gademan out front. When the Alpine driver slipped over a second out of reach, the American sensibly opted to save her tyres and keep her podium hopes alive.
It proved to be a wise decision as a rapid Maya Weug climbed from eighth to third in the latter stages and sat right on Block’s tail. Defending valiantly, Block managed to keep the Ferrari driver at bay to claim her maiden podium in second on her 23rd race start.
“It’s been a long time coming,” she admitted. “Singapore last year was so close in that first race, so I feel relieved to be here. Just happy for the team as well, we got to grab some good points.
“It was a clean race. Maya and I had a good battle in the last two laps, my rear tyres were going so I’m really happy to be here and I hope we keep this momentum going into the next race this weekend.”
Block added: “I just wanted to save my tyres a little bit on our run plan to finish at the end. P2 is P2, I want to start on the podium first before going for a win.
“We’re not really going for the title that much anymore, so it’s kind of just a risk it for the biscuit thing. That’s my mentality going into tomorrow.”
The 18-year-old has come a long way from where she started as a complete rookie to single-seaters last year. However, this season hasn’t gone according to plan with only three points-scoring finishes prior to the podium.
Looking ahead to tomorrow’s Race 2, Block is convinced that her first taste of silverware could be the start of a late season resurgence.
“I’ve matured, that’s for sure,” said Block. “As a driver and as a person. It’s been a long two years and a season and a half so far. It’s been a struggle, honestly we did not start the season the way we wanted it to. Unlucky stuff has happened one after another, so I’m really glad to be turning that luck around and this is the redemption arc.”
She added: “Starting P6 isn’t a bad place, so I’m just looking to go forward as much as possible. Maya showed it was possible today with her overtakes. So I’m just looking for opportunities and if they’re there, I’ll take them.”