The 2026 Formula 1 season begins this weekend in Australia, and as many predicted, former NASCAR and IndyCar driver Danica Patrick will not be a part of Sky Sports’ Formula 1 coverage. While many believed the broadcaster had decided to make changes ahead of the new season, Patrick has claimed that the decision was actually hers, saying she felt it was the right time to step away and move on.

Danica Patrick pens emotional note

The 43-year-old finally spoke about her exit, taking to Instagram to look back on her time there.

“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 I got to be part of a huge boom in F1!” Danica Patrick wrote on an Instagram post.

“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! 😜🏎️ 🏁” she added.

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Although the exact reason behind Sky Sports F1’s decision remains unclear, the reports indicate she was dropped. Apparently, in recent years, Patrick has also become more vocal about her political views, attending conservative events and recently criticizing the NFL over Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show.

This decision notably comes before the 2026 Australian Grand Prix, which begins Friday in Melbourne. And it marks the screeching end to Patrick’s F1 role that started five years ago.

The 43-year-old motorsports icon is known for her trendsetting achievements.

From winning the 2008 IndyCar 300 race in Motegi, Japan, to winning the pole for the 2013 Daytona 500, Danica Patrick has defied stereotypes attached to female racers. However, her own opinions are a stark contrast to her career achievements, which is a primary reason why fans were averse to her presence in F1.

Once, Danica Patrick snubbed an aspiring female racer, saying that F1 is ‘masculine.’ Speaking live on Sky Sports F1, she even said that wheeling a car is not ‘normal’ to the feminine mind. What’s more, she even said that the goal of introducing more women to F1 is not important to her. Patrick said if half the field were women, “it’s not going to be interesting to watch.”

At times, Patrick’s analysis during broadcasts also sparked debate among viewers. One such moment came during the 2025 United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas, when she was asked to break down a collision between Williams driver Carlos Sainz and Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

Attempting to explain the incident, Patrick said: “Not the best spot to go, you know, like when you make a move in an unusual place, then you get unusual results… kind of like a turn one sprint, right? You make an unusual move and get an unusual result.”

The explanation came moments after former world champion Jenson Button had already outlined the incident in clear terms. As Patrick spoke, Button briefly looked straight into the camera with a smirk, a moment that circulated across social media and prompted a wave of fan reactions online. Some viewers joked that Button appeared to be “breaking the fourth wall” during the broadcast, while others questioned the added analysis.

Last year, Danica Patrick brewed a storm of controversy for calling the Montreal Grand Prix track “a fun track, but it’s not the most complicated.” Former F1 champion Nico Rosberg quickly disagreed, calling it “one of the hardest tracks of the year, because there are so many bumps and at every curb you have to hit it so perfectly.”

Such controversial stances, alongside a questionable political view, cost Danica Patrick a chunk of the F1 fanbase. As she moves on to other life goals, F1 is moving on as well with a dynamic roster.

A star-studded roster

Sky Sports’ new broadcast team is missing Danica Patrick. Nevertheless, the names are some talented ones. Joining lead commentator David Croft will be Simon Lazenby, Natalie Pinkham, Ted Kravitz, Rachel Brookes, and Craig Slater as presenters and reporters.

In the group of experts and analysts, former F1 champions Jenson Button, Nico Rosberg, and Jacques Villeneuve will join Martin Brundle, Naomi Schiff, Bernie Collins, Karun Chandhok, Jamie Chadwick, and Anthony Davidson. The commentators include David Croft and Harry Benjamin.

Anthony Davidson and Karun Chandhok will continue to dissect on-track action from the SkyPad. Davidson has notably played a crucial part in shaping Mercedes’ 2026 campaign in his role as development driver.

Patrick had primarily appeared on Sky’s coverage during the North American rounds, including races in the United States and Canada, as the broadcaster rotated its analyst lineup across the season. Her absence from the newly announced roster, however, suggests she is not expected to feature in the network’s coverage going forward.

2026 also features new experiences for fans. For instance, Sky users can enjoy a new immersive sidebar for TV viewing, with features like Race Control, Recap, and in-race standings, plus dedicated driver and team pages with onboard cams. Also, Tate McRae’s GRAMMY-nominated Just Keep Watching will become the new title track for Sky Sports’ F1 coverage this season, revving up the atmosphere.

Clearly, F1 is already moving on from Danica Patrick in full force. Let’s wait and see if the former NASCAR driver already has other plans this year.