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Sky Sports activities announce 2026 F1 pundits line-up as controversial large identify disregarded

Sky F1 confirmed their presenters and pundits forward of the Australian Grand Prix.

Danica Patrick has been axed from Sky Sports activities’ F1 punditry workforce (Picture: Getty)

Sky Sports activities seem to have reduce Danica Patrick from their presenting and punditry workforce for the brand new Formulation 1 season. In a press launch circulated on Wednesday, Patrick’s identify was not amongst these listed by the broadcaster as an analyst for the brand new marketing campaign, which begins this weekend with the Australian Grand Prix.

Patrick has been a part of the rotating panel of analysts utilized by Sky Sports activities in latest seasons, often at races in North America. She is well-known significantly to an American viewers, given her standing as one of the recognisable feminine racing drivers and a race winner in IndyCar.

However she has confirmed to be a divisive determine for a lot of, due to her political beliefs and promotion of conspiracy theories. Already in 2026 Patrick, a vocal supporter of Donald Trump, has made headlines for her criticism of the choice to present the Tremendous Bowl halftime present to Puerto Rican musician Dangerous Bunny, and in addition for joking that Canadian ice hockey gamers “could be gold medallists” within the Winter Olympics if that they had “been good and develop into the 51st state” of the USA.

It was confirmed on Wednesday that Patrick, who had been a part of Sky’s protection for the final 5 seasons, is just not among the many pool of specialists and analysts who’ve been retained by Sky heading into the brand new F1 season. The explanation behind her departure has not been formally confirmed, although Specific Sport understands she might be specializing in different initiatives going forwards.

There aren’t any new additions to Sky’s roster forward of the brand new season. Naomi Schiff is ready to return as an analyst after lacking the latter levels of the 2025 marketing campaign whereas on maternity go away, whereas presenter Natalie Pinkham is ready to return on the Japanese Grand Prix later this month, after six months away following neck surgical procedure.

Pinkham informed Specific Sport: “I am getting there! It has been a more durable, longer highway to restoration than I had anticipated. However I am doing physiotherapy day-after-day in the intervening time – it is fairly full on – however I am getting stronger.”

She added in a social media put up: “I am actually joyful to say that I’ve been given the all clear to do lengthy hauls once more. My first [race] that I might be presenting for Sky F1 this 12 months is Japan. And I’m actually joyful about that as a result of I bloody love Suzuka, so very excited to see you then.”

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Sky additionally confirmed a brand new title observe for his or her protection, that includes a track carried out by pop celebrity Tate McRae. Her tune, Simply Preserve Watching, which featured on the soundtrack of F1: The Film, launched final 12 months, was nominated for a Grammy award and can now be heard on Sky’s protection of the game all season lengthy.

Sky Sports activities may even be extra extensively accessible to American followers due to F1’s new US TV take care of Apple. The Sky broadcast might be a type of accessible for followers within the States to pick out after they tune in to look at the motion on a race weekend.

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