Danica Patrick absent as Sky Sports F1 confirm 2026 line-up

Danica Patrick has not been named as part of Sky Sports F1’s presenting and punditry line-up for the 2026 season.

Ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne this weekend, F1’s official broadcaster in the UK confirmed its presenter and pundit line-up for the upcoming campaign.

Sky Sports has held exclusive live broadcasts rights for F1 in the UK since 2012.

Patrick, who has divided fans with her controversial opinions and takes, was a notable absentee as Sky Sports unveiled its plans for the 2026 F1 season.

Martin Brundle will be once again joined by F1 world champions Jenson Button, Nico Rosberg and Jacques Villeneuve to form the pool of expert pundits, along with Naomi Schiff, Bernie Collins, Karun Chandhok, Jamie Chadwick and Anthony Davidson.

Simon Lazenby, Natalie Pinkham, Ted Kravitz, Rachel Brookes and Craig Slater will be the presenters and reporters on the ground, while commentary will once again be provided by David Croft, with Harry Benjamin filling in on weekends Croft is absent.

Pinkham has confirmed she will be returning to presenting for Sky Sports F1 at the Japanese Grand Prix on 29 March.

She has recovered from neck surgery which put her out of action for much of the second half of the 2025 season.

"It has been a long and, if I'm completely honest, quite difficult five months of rehab since my neck surgery, but I am really happy to say that I have been given the all clear to do long hauls again and my first that I'll be presenting for Sky F1 this year is Japan," Pinkham said in an Instagram post.

Sky Sports also confirmed its coverage will feature a new title track from GRAMMY-nominated Tate McRae, whose songs featured on the F1 Movie. 

Sky Sports is set to remain the definitive home of F1 in the UK until at least 2029.