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Danica Patrick will not be returning to Sky Sports' Formula 1 coverage for the 2026 season, with the broadcaster revealing its new on-air lineup this week and the former NASCAR driver noticeably absent.
Patrick, 44, had been part of Sky Sports' F1 team for the past five seasons, first appearing during the United States Grand Prix in October 2021.
While she did not attend every race, she was a regular presence during North American events, including races in Miami, Austin, Las Vegas, and Montreal.
Sky Sports, the official UK broadcaster of Formula 1, unveiled its coverage team just days before the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.
Fan favorite Martin Brundle will continue both his commentary duties and his popular "Grid Walk," while Naomi Schiff is returning from maternity leave. Natalie Pinkham is also set to rejoin coverage at the Japanese Grand Prix following six months away due to neck surgery.
Patrick's absence comes amid significant changes to F1 broadcasting in the United States.
While Sky Sports' feed has traditionally aired on ESPN for American audiences, coverage will shift in 2026 to Apple TV, which plans to primarily use F1TV's broadcast feed, with Sky Sports remaining available as an alternative option.
In recent months, Patrick has drawn attention not only for her broadcasting work but also for her outspoken political views.
She has publicly aligned herself with former President Donald Trump and the MAGA movement, traveling with him to campaign rallies and speaking at political events, including Turning Point USA's "Americafest."
At that event, Patrick shared a story about a "past life regression," describing herself as having once lived as a Native American, a remark that generated widespread reaction online.
Political commentary and social media spark debate
Patrick's political commentary has increasingly divided fans, particularly as her social media presence has grown more outspoken. Earlier this week, she made headlines after posting about Canada's silver medal finish in Olympic hockey, sharing a message that read: "If Canada had been smart and become the 51st State, they'd be gold medalists right now." She captioned the post, "Too soon?"
She has also weighed in on pop culture controversies. Following singer Billie Eilish's anti-ICE remarks at the Grammy Awards, Patrick reposted messages critical of the artist.
Eilish had stated during her speech, "No one is illegal on stolen land. F*** ICE," drawing both applause and backlash. Patrick shared several responses from critics questioning Eilish's stance, further fueling online debate.
Despite the recent controversies, Patrick remains one of the most accomplished female drivers in motorsports history. She became the first woman to win an IndyCar Series race and holds the highest-ever finishes by a woman in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Daytona 500. She also secured the first female pole position in NASCAR Cup Series history.
Patrick retired from professional racing following the 2018 Indianapolis 500 but transitioned into broadcasting, where she became a prominent analyst voice during North American Formula 1 races.
Sky Sports has not publicly commented on the reason for her departure. As the 2026 season begins, Patrick's next move in the motorsports world remains unclear, but her impact, both on and off the track, continues to generate conversation.