Lia Block selected to drive for Williams Racing in F1 Academy

Tom1200 said:

z31maniac said:

Lots of weird energy in this thread. 

One of the greatest F1 drivers of all time borrowed money from Bernie to secure his seat. 

People get all hung up on ride buyers or people they think got the ride becuase they checked a box or Daddy's money got them there.

Note to folks; Lance Stroll is hugely talented regarldless of his Father's money.

Yes, that's my point. I didn't want to use a specific word that would definitely derail the thread. 

I hope she can kick some ass!

In reply to RyanGreener (Forum Supporter) :

I'm happy for any young driver to get an oppertunity regardless of how they got there.

I hope Lia Block does well, maybe it will ease a little bit of the pain of losing her dad at a young age.

To anybody bring up money to get there.

Regardless of how the funding occurs. She's already funded the beginning of her potential F1 career. You forget Ken Block found a way to market rally cars and driving away from the stage. Gymkhana videos. He created a self funding, self published media concept to package and partner for exposure with a manufacturer (I'm sad that we'll never see what would've become of the Ken Block/Audi partnership), energy drink company, shoe and apparel company. 

And Ken never did a Gymkhana video in an F1 car on the streets of Vegas in the snow. Lia is about to bring more US based views on a Gymkhana film to an F1 car than any race since the pandemic. 

So she's earned on her own, both funding and talent. 

Tom1200 said:

z31maniac said:

Lots of weird energy in this thread. 

One of the greatest F1 drivers of all time borrowed money from Bernie to secure his seat. 

People get all hung up on ride buyers or people they think got the ride becuase they checked a box or Daddy's money got them there.

Note to folks; Lance Stroll is hugely talented regarldless of his Father's money.

While that is true, who isn't getting an opportunity because of Stroll?  That's the frustrating part.  

Anymore, I'm starting to think that about Sergeant- but I'll give him another season to see if he can get better.

It's hard to see that it's about who your parents are and/or how much money you have being the most important think that gets you to top level racing.  Sometimes it works great, sometimes it doesn't.  Sometimes the driver is more a joke.  And it's not really feasable that a system can be set up like other sports.

alfadriver said:

While that is true, who isn't getting an opportunity because of Stroll?  That's the frustrating part.  

There are probably 40 other drivers who'll never get a chance...................but that's the sport.

When I started road racing motorcycles in 1987, my mentor told me "racing is a rich man's sport". I came to terms with it then and there.

Tom1200 said:

alfadriver said:

While that is true, who isn't getting an opportunity because of Stroll?  That's the frustrating part.  

There are probably 40 other drivers who'll never get a chance...................but that's the sport.

When I started road racing motorcycles in 1987, my mentor told me "racing is a rich man's sport". I came to terms with it then and there.

 

I'm sure we've all heard the old joke about making a small fortune in racing?

In reply to Tom1200 :

Doesn't mean we can't complain about it.  Especially when some of these drivers are just pylons to drive around.

honestly with everyone's varying opinion, what other American would you see take that spot? 

I don't think I could name someone, also at that level im sure everyone is a nobody. 

alfadriver said:

In reply to Tom1200 :

Doesn't mean we can't complain about it.  Especially when some of these drivers are just pylons to drive around.

And how much of that is the driver or the car?

I suspect Hammy or Max wouldn't be winning 'Chips in a HAAS for example. 

In reply to z31maniac :

No, but Mazapan should not have been in an F1 car.  Seeing how much better the team was when he was dumped made that pretty clear.  Or Latifi for Williams.  

I see the difference between the two drivers or how much the change adds to the team as more an indicator than how bad the car is.

How many times this season did Stroll get eliminated in Q1 only to have Alonso up in the top 6?  It's not the car there.

fidelity101 said:

honestly with everyone's varying opinion, what other American would you see take that spot? 

 

I don't think I could name someone, also at that level im sure everyone is a nobody. 

Good question.  I can't name any fast American women racers that would be better.  I think there are only about 5 or 6 women in all the "normal" f1 feeder series total.

z31maniac said:

alfadriver said:

In reply to Tom1200 :

Doesn't mean we can't complain about it.  Especially when some of these drivers are just pylons to drive around.

And how much of that is the driver or the car?

I suspect Hammy or Max wouldn't be winning 'Chips in a HAAS for example. 

I don't think either one would put up with Steiner long enough to find out.  They would make the Haas look much better than it is though.

alfadriver said:

In reply to Tom1200 :

Doesn't mean we can't complain about it.  Especially when some of these drivers are just pylons to drive around.

Absolutely................I love a good rant (that that you are ranting). 

Came here looking for Lia Block content. Leaving wondering why this thread is 95% "boo-hoo for the kids who don't get a chance" or "they're only there because of their name"

In reply to AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter) :

I am wondering the same despite being guilty of stoking the fire.

We have two teenage girls vintage racing with us; vintage racing needs younger drivers here in the USA.  

Lia Block will bring a higher profile to the sport of road racing...........good for her good for us. 

AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter) said:

Came here looking for Lia Block content.

Totally agree.  I'm excited for Lia.  My 17 y/o daughter follows F1 academy and is interested in studying aerodynamics.  I need talk with her about this - I'm guessing she'll be excited too.

Maybe we'll hit the kart track too!

In reply to TVR Scott :

Given your forum name I think you need a vintage race car for her to drive.