Danica Patrick was not included when Sky Sports announced their Formula 1 line-up for 2026.
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Former IndyCar and NASCAR driver Danica Patrick has broken her silence after being omitted from the Sky Sports F1 line-up for 2026.
On Wednesday, the United Kingdom’s main F1 broadcaster, Sky Sports, confirmed their on-screen line-up for the 2026 season.
Popular members such as lead commentator David Croft, pit-lane reporter Ted Kravitz and expert analyst Martin Brundle will resume their roles.
They are joined by the likes of Jenson Button, Nico Rosberg, Jacques Villeneuve, Naomi Schiff, Bernie Collins, Karun Chandhok, Jamie Chadwick and Anthony Davidson.
In addition, Simon Lazenby, Natalie Pinkham, Rachel Brookes and Craig Slater will also share presenting and reporting duties.
It has also been confirmed that BBC Radio 5 Live commentator Harry Benjamin will step in for Croft at a handful of races during the 2026 campaign.
Meanwhile, there was no space for Patrick, who has often been a part of the Sky Sports line-up for the North American races.
Now, the 43-year-old has taken to social media to confirm her departure from Sky Sports F1.
She wrote on Instagram: “From my first @skysportsf1 race in Austin to my last 5 years later… I had such a blast! The sky team was so much fun (thank you all), I saw so many amazing new race tracks and cities, and got to be part of a huge boom in F1!”
Danica Patrick will not be a part of the Sky Sports F1 line-up for 2026. Image: Getty
Patrick then went on to imply that she decided to step away from Sky Sports, rather than her being dropped by the broadcaster.
She continued: “I called after the last race in 2025 and said it was time for me to move on and I was so grateful for the opportunity and experience I was given!
“And now due to my deep exposure to F1, I will be glued to my tv for the season starting this weekend, like every other fan!”
In the comments section, Sky Sports’ Chandhok wrote: “Fun times DP!”
Meanwhile, Pinkham replied with two love heart emojis.
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While the 43-year-old’s exit coincided with her increasingly vocal shift toward hard-line conservative politics and high-profile involvement in the 2024 U.S. election cycle, Patrick was quick to clarify that the decision was a personal one. She cited the grueling nature of the F1 travel schedule—often describing the paddock workload as more demanding than her time behind the wheel—as a primary reason for stepping away. As she moves on to focus on building a new business venture and serving on several high-stakes boards, the departure marks the end of a five-year stint that saw her become a staple of F1’s rapid expansion in the North American market.
Sky Sports has chosen not to directly replace Patrick, instead leaning on an “all-star” roster that includes the return of Naomi Schiff following her maternity leave and a fully recovered Natalie Pinkham. The network is also navigating a shifting media landscape, as Apple TV takes over exclusive F1 rights in the United States for 2026, though it will continue to syndicate the core Sky Sports feed. For Patrick, the transition from the pit lane to the living room couch appears to be a welcome change; as the engines roar to life at Albert Park this weekend, the former Indy Japan 300 winner says she is simply ready to experience the “huge boom” of the sport as a fan, rather than a focal point of the broadcast.
