Longtime American racing analyst Danica Patrick will not return for Danica Patrick F1 coverage as Sky Sports revealed its lineup for the 2026 season, absent her name. The change comes as Apple TV takes over Formula 1 broadcasts in the U.S., offering new options for fans while shaking up familiar coverage teams.
Sky Sports Updates F1 Broadcast Team for U.S. Audience
Sky Sports recently unveiled its broadcasting plans and roster of talent for the upcoming 2026 Formula 1 season, leaving out Danica Patrick from their team of analysts. This shift follows the end of Sky’s syndication deal with ESPN, a partnership that had previously brought the British broadcaster’s Formula 1 coverage—including Patrick’s appearances—to American viewers.
For the 2026 season, American fans will have access to both the established Sky Sports feed, featuring well-known commentators David Croft and Martin Brundle alongside their team of reporters, and an exclusive in-house F1 broadcast via Apple TV. This development marks a significant change in how fans in the United States will experience Formula 1, as many had become accustomed to Sky’s tradition-rich panel of experts.
A History of Danica Patrick’s Contributions
Danica Patrick had regularly joined Sky Sports as a pre-race analyst for North American Formula 1 events, analyzed alongside motorsport champions like Jenson Button and Nico Rosberg. Her appearances during high-profile races in the U.S. and Canada gave viewers an American perspective in a lineup largely dominated by former Formula 1 insiders and British broadcasters.
Patrick’s unique status extends beyond broadcasting; she is a trailblazer in American motorsports as the first woman to win an IndyCar Series race. Over her 116-race IndyCar career, Patrick achieved seven podiums, later transitioning to NASCAR, where she participated in 191 starts, although never securing a win. Her impact as a pioneering female driver remains unmatched in American racing history.
Mixed Reactions to Patrick’s Formula 1 Role
Despite her credentials in U.S. racing, Patrick’s presence on Sky’s Formula 1 panel has garnered mixed reviews from race fans globally. Her lack of direct Formula 1 experience led some viewers to find her commentary less engaging compared to her co-hosts, and she was considered a polarizing figure among the competitive F1 fan base.
Off-Track Controversy and Public Image
Patrick’s outspoken political views have also sparked debate. Over the years, her conservative stances and social media posts have proven divisive. For instance, after a hockey team from the USA won gold at the Winter Olympics, she posted that Canada should have
“been smart and become the 51st state.”
— Danica Patrick, Analyst. Such remarks likely fueled skepticism about her continued presence in the pitlane at venues like Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal.
Her podcast, known for featuring conspiracy theories—including questioning the reality of events like the moon landing—further contributed to the controversy surrounding her profile in international racing circles.
Next Steps for Danica Patrick’s Broadcasting Career
Beyond Formula 1, Danica Patrick has provided analysis for both NBC and Fox Sports during coverage of the Indianapolis 500. It remains uncertain if she will return in that capacity this year. As American racing media continues to evolve with new broadcast teams and platforms, Patrick’s future involvement with high-profile events like the Indy 500 could signal the direction of her career beyond Formula 1 coverage.
The decision by Sky Sports, coupled with Apple TV’s growing influence in global sports coverage, underscores an evolving landscape for Formula 1 broadcasting in the U.S. The absence of Danica Patrick in 2026 may resonate with fans seeking familiar voices, while also opening the door to a new era of commentators and analysis for America’s Formula 1 audience.
