Danica Patrick criticized for Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix coverage has become a talking point following her recent on-air comments during Sky Sports’ broadcast in Montreal, Canada, on June 14, 2025. Her observation about the track’s difficulty level has generated considerable backlash from Formula 1 fans and sparked disagreement among her broadcast colleagues, fueling debate in the racing community.
Patrick’s Commentary Draws Mixed Reactions at Montreal Event
During the Canadian Grand Prix weekend, Danica Patrick, recognized for her groundbreaking career in NASCAR and IndyCar, provided analysis as part of the Sky Sports and ABC coverage team. Although she never competed in Formula 1, Patrick has been repeatedly selected as an analyst for these events. On June 14, she walked in the paddock at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve and weighed in on the track’s reputation, stating her view of its complexity during the broadcast.
“Montreal is a fun track, but it’s not the most complicated,”
—Danica Patrick, Analyst
Patrick elaborated further on her assessment, explaining her perspective on how drivers manage the course.
“I think, as long as you get the balance right, you get it to change directions, just be able to get on the throttle coming off, you can put it together here.”
—Danica Patrick, Analyst
Her remarks were immediately met with a strong response from her on-air colleague, 2016 World Champion Nico Rosberg, who shared an opposing viewpoint regarding the difficulty of the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve.
“I have to disagree ever so slightly there, Danica,”
—Nico Rosberg, World Champion
“Montreal is one of the hardest tracks of the year, because there’s so many bumps and at every kerb you have to hit it so perfectly.”
—Nico Rosberg, World Champion
Public Response Ranges from Frustration to Outrage
Following the live exchanges, many fans voiced their displeasure over Patrick’s contributions to the Formula 1 coverage, raising questions about her relevance and expertise in a sport she never participated in professionally. Online discussions intensified, with several individuals criticizing the network’s decision to include her on the broadcast.
“Bringing Danica Patrick back is lazy – she brings zero F1 insight. But brining a diehard MAGA follower to the Canadian GP while her cult leader talks about annexing Canada? That’s not just tone-deaf, it’s insulting. Get her off the broadcast,”
—Fan
Comments reinforced ongoing frustration as the weekend progressed, indicating a pattern of viewer dissatisfaction with Patrick’s role during F1 Grand Prix events.
“Danica Patrick gets more annoying in every GP she appears on TV,”
—Fan
Patrick has regularly appeared as a Formula 1 analyst for Sky Sports in recent years, becoming a fixture in the broadcast lineup. However, as the backlash continues to grow, speculation has emerged regarding whether her future appearances will remain unchanged.
Future of Patrick’s Coverage and Broader Implications
The incident has highlighted the tension surrounding broadcaster appointments in international sports and the expectation of specialized expertise among fans. As Patrick faces mounting criticism, networks like ABC and Sky Sports may reconsider their choices for F1 analyst roles in response to audience feedback. The Canadian Grand Prix controversy, involving figures like Nico Rosberg and vocal fans, illustrates the challenges networks encounter when balancing popular personalities with sport-specific knowledge. What happens next will likely depend on ongoing reactions from both fans and stakeholders inside Formula 1 broadcasting.
