British racing giants Aston Martin and Williams have revealed the first two supported F1 Academy drivers.

17-year-old Lia Block will be donning iconic Williams livery to represent the team in F1 Academy for the 2024 season, as part of their Driver Academy.

Block began karting aged 11, before going on to compete in rallying, Extreme E and rallycross.

This year saw the American racer make history when she became the youngest-ever American Rally Association Champion, winning the Open Two-Wheel Drive class.

Racing with ART Grand Prix alongside McLaren junior Bianca Bustamante, Block says she’s ready to make the most out of the opportunity as she embarks on her first full season in open-wheel racing.

“I am so excited to be joining the Williams Driver Academy and competing in F1 Academy in 2024.

“This is something I never could have dreamed of. I can’t wait to embrace this new experience and learn as much as possible.”

James Vowles, Williams’ Team Principal added: “We are excited to welcome Lia to Williams Racing as our F1 Academy driver for 2024.

“Lia has already achieved a tremendous amount in motorsport, has incredible natural talent, and the champion mindset and dedication to make a success of her journey into open-wheel racing.

“We cannot wait to get started on this journey together. As a team, we are committed to Formula 1 and F1 Academy’s joint efforts to improve female representation in motorsport, and we look forward to working with Lia as a key part of the Williams Racing Driver Academy.”

ART Grand Prix Team Principal Sébastien Philippe concluded: “Extreme sports are part of Lia’s DNA and her debut in high-profile international competitions attest to her talent and her adaptability to a wide range of demanding environments.

“At 17 years old, Lia is driven with a great determination and an appetite for major challenges, that should allow her to quickly find her place on our team and in the F1 Academy.”

While Aston Martin have announced Swiss racer Tina Hausmann as their nominated driver for the 2024 F1 Academy season, with the 17-year-old competing for PREMA Racing.

Hausmann’s racing journey began in karting aged seven, before going on to compete in the Swiss Rotax Mini and the OK-Junior series, where she finished fourth.

From there, she moved up to race in Germany’s DKM and ADAC Masters’ Championship.

Stepping up to single seaters this season, Hausmann impressed on her debut weekend, earning a podium in the Formula Winter Series.

Alongside this, she claimed victory in the female category of the Italian F4 Championship.

Looking ahead to next year’s campaign, Hausmann says she’s thrilled by the support she has received from Aston Martin and is eager to put her development to good use when the season gets underway in March.

“F1 Academy is an incredible opportunity for me; it’s an amazing series that I’m proud to be a part of,” said Hausmann.

“I know I’ll learn so much that will really help me as a driver, including the experience I’ll gain from racing at seven new tracks in front of big crowds.

“It’s going to be a whole new world, but I’m so excited to get started.

“Representing the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team in the series is a huge honour.

“My first day at the AMR Technology Campus showed me just what an incredible team it is. I am already so comfortable there and can feel everybody’s full support.

“Having Jessica Hawkins as a mentor is a real benefit, too; she has so much valuable advice to share.

“Inspiring the next generation of female drivers is something that’s incredibly important to us both.

“I’m also very proud to be competing with PREMA Racing. PREMA is a team that every young driver hopes to race for – they’re the best at what they do – and I know that they’ll help me develop as I continue in my motorsport career.

“There is so much to look forward to, and I want to thank everybody who has made it possible.”

PREMA Racing Team Principal René Rosin added: “We are extremely delighted to move one step closer to the 2024 season by announcing Tina as a driver for the upcoming series.

“She showed great promise moving her first steps in Formula 4, and we are convinced that with the support of our team, F1 Academy and the Aston Martin Formula One Team, she will make more progress to become a high-profile contender.”

Additionally, Aston Martin Driver Ambassador Jessica Hawkins has become the team’s Head of Racing for F1 Academy, working closely with Hausmann in mentorship role to provide support both on and off the track.

In September, she became the first woman to drive a modern F1 car in almost five years, completing a test in the AMR21 at Hungary.

Hawkins concluded: “I’ve always really enjoyed mentoring young drivers, and I’m looking forward to working with Tina as she embarks on this exciting next stage of her motorsport career.

“I think F1 Academy is a natural next step for her and I know, from my experience, that competing on a global stage will benefit her in many different ways.

“My goal will be to support Tina throughout the year, both on and off track, as it will be a steep learning curve, but one that I’m sure she’ll take in her stride.”

The seven round series will be part of the supporting races for Formula One with it joining the race weekend at Saudi Arabia, Miami, Spain, Netherlands, Singapore, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.