Fans call for NASCAR legend to lose TV job

sky f1, simon lazenby, danica patrick, martin brundle, us grand prix, 2021 — Photo: © IMAGO

F1 News & Gossip

Fans call for NASCAR legend to lose TV job

Danica Patrick appeared at various F1 race weekends in the US last season

By Kerry Violet.

Wednesday 12 March 2025 16:00

IndyCar and NASCAR trailblazer Danica Patrick has had a number of fans calling for her to give up her job on British TV over recent social media posts.

Patrick has been part of Sky Sports' Formula 1 coverage for a while now, attending a number of races on and off US soil as a part of their punditry lineup.

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The 42-year-old joined Sky F1's presenting and punditry team in October 2021 for the US GP at COTA and has since been a frequent face on our screens, especially for the US races.

Patrick has faced controversy from F1 fans in the past after making her personal political views clear, with a number of comments labelled 'transphobic' and some podcasts which veer heavily into conspiracy theories, but Sky Sports maintains the position that any personal views shared by their pundits on their own social media are entirely their own.

Patrick has faced backlash in the past for her outspoken political presence on social media

Danica Patrick sparks social media controversy

Her post read: "I just can’t take Zelenskyy seriously in that track suit.

"174B later and still no suit….. or respect."

The comment, which now has 3.5 million views and 3.6 thousand replies, sparked outrage among F1 fans, particularly those who use Sky F1 to follow race weekend coverage.

Sky F1 are yet to confirm their 2025 presenting and punditry lineup, but many users on social media felt that the post was inappropriate.

One fan wrote: "@SkySportsF1 get her out come on."

Another mocked the style of the post to comment on Patrick's previous F1 punditry, writing: "I just can’t take Danica Patrick seriously in that commentary box. A former professional racing driver and still absolutely no knowledge on racing, or anything really."

Patrick earned her spot with Sky after a career which saw her become the first woman to win an IndyCar race

Not everyone agreed with the mass of negative replies over Patrick's comment, with many pointing stating that her personal views do not impact her ability to comment fairly for Sky F1.

One social media user responded to the many abusive comments below Patrick's post, saying: "Imagine trying to cancel someone for having a different political viewpoint from yourself…

"Do I like Danica? Not really.

"Do I think she should be fired? No."

Formula 1 McLaren Danica Patrick COTA