Former NASCAR and IndyCar driver Danica Patrick will not return to the broadcast lineup for Formula 1 World Championship coverage this season, with the news surfacing just days before the championship begins in Melbourne.
Patrick, 43, had been part of the Sky Sports F1 broadcast team since 2021, often appearing as a pundit during North American races. However, the network’s newly confirmed 2026 broadcast lineup no longer includes the former racing driver, effectively ending her five-year run with the coverage team.
Qian Jun/MB Media/Getty Images
The announcement arrives as Formula 1 prepares to open the 2026 season at the Australian Grand Prix at the Albert Park Circuit, marking a significant change to the on-air panel ahead of the championship’s first race weekend.
Sky Sports Reveals New F1 Broadcast Lineup
Sky Sports recently confirmed its full roster of presenters, analysts, and commentators for the 2026 campaign. The lineup continues to feature several well-known names from the sport, including Martin Brundle, Jenson Button, Nico Rosberg, and Jacques Villeneuve as part of the expert analyst group.
Qian Jun/MB Media/Getty Images
Other contributors confirmed for the coverage include Naomi Schiff, Karun Chandhok, Anthony Davidson, and Jamie Chadwick, alongside presenters Simon Lazenby, Natalie Pinkham, Ted Kravitz, Rachel Brookes, and Craig Slater. Commentary duties remain with David Croft and Harry Benjamin.
Patrick’s absence from the lineup quickly drew attention from fans, given her regular appearances during previous seasons and her role as one of the few former American drivers featured in the broadcast team.
Danica Patrick’s F1 Broadcast Role
Patrick joined Sky Sports’ Formula 1 coverage in 2021 following a trailblazing racing career that included competing in both IndyCar and NASCAR. She remains the only woman to win an IndyCar Series race, achieving the milestone in 2008.
Qian Jun/MB Media/Getty Images
During her time with Sky Sports, Patrick primarily appeared during races in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, offering driver insights and analysis from the perspective of a former competitor.
While no official explanation has been provided for her absence from the 2026 lineup, reports indicate Patrick has not publicly addressed the change.
As the Formula 1 season begins this weekend in Australia, the broadcast reshuffle marks one of the most notable off-track developments ahead of the championship’s opening round.