Sky Sports confirm F1 pundits for 2026 season as controversial big name missing
Danica Patrick will not be part of Sky Sports’ Formula 1 coverage for the 2026 season after the broadcaster confirmed their pundit lineup without the American racing driver, who had been an analyst for five years
View Image
Danica Patrick is no longer a Sky Sports F1 pundit(Image: Getty Images)
Sky Sports have removed Danica Patrick from their presenting and punditry lineup for the new Formula 1 season. In a press release issued on Wednesday, Patrick’s name was absent from those named by the broadcaster as an analyst for the new campaign, which kicks off this weekend with the Australian Grand Prix.
Patrick has been part of the rotating group of analysts employed by Sky Sports in recent seasons, typically at races in North America. She is particularly well-known to an American audience, given her standing as one of the most recognisable female racing drivers and a race winner in IndyCar.
However, she has proved to be a controversial figure for many, due to her political views and promotion of conspiracy theories.
Already in 2026 Patrick, a vocal supporter of Donald Trump, has made headlines for her criticism of the decision to give the Super Bowl halftime show to Puerto Rican musician Bad Bunny, and also for joking that Canadian ice hockey players “would be gold medallists” in the Winter Olympics if they had “been smart and become the 51st state” of the USA.
It was announced on Wednesday that Patrick, who had been part of Sky’s coverage for the previous five seasons, is not amongst the pool of experts and analysts who have been kept on by Sky going into the new F1 season. The reason behind her exit has not been officially confirmed, though Mirror Sport understands she will be concentrating on other projects moving forwards.
There are no fresh faces joining Sky’s team ahead of the new season. Naomi Schiff is poised to return as an analyst after taking a break for maternity leave during the latter part of the 2025 campaign, whilst presenter Natalie Pinkham is set to make her comeback at the Japanese Grand Prix later this month, following a six-month absence due to neck surgery.
Pinkham told Mirror Sport: “I’m getting there! It’s been a tougher, longer road to recovery than I had expected. But I’m doing physiotherapy every day at the moment – it’s quite full on – but I’m getting stronger.”
She further shared in a social media post: “I’m really happy to say that I have been given the all clear to do long hauls again. My first [race] that I will be presenting for Sky F1 this year is Japan. And I am really happy about that because I bloody love Suzuka, so very excited to see you then.”
Sky also unveiled a new title track for their coverage, featuring a song performed by pop sensation Tate McRae. Her track, Just Keep Watching, which was included in the soundtrack of F1: The Movie, released last year, received a Grammy nomination and will now be featured throughout Sky’s coverage of the sport for the entire season.
Sky Sports will also be more accessible to American fans due to F1’s new US TV deal with Apple. The Sky broadcast will be one of the options available for fans in the States when they tune in to watch the action over a race weekend.
