“No One Wants Her”- Fans Ruthlessly Bash Sky Sports’ Danica Patrick Decision as They Refuse to Let Go of Controversial 2023 Season

It’s the 2023 Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix weekend. A kid broadcaster asked Danica Patrick if she wanted to see a female driver in F1. And what did Patrick—the most successful woman in American open-wheel racing, who should be a role model for young female drivers—say? “I think that the nature of the sport is masculine. The mindset that it takes to be really good is something that’s not normal in a feminine mind, a female mind.” That day, she delivered a blow to all the diversity efforts motorsports have taken. And now, Sky Sports F1 has delivered a blow to the F1 community.

When the NASCAR driver-turned-pundit made these remarks, an F1 fan wrote, “I really hope @SkySportsF1 reviews its contract with Danica Patrick at the end of the season.” Another fan replied, “For a moment, I thought you wrote “renews”! Phew.” Well, that’s precisely what Sky Sports has done. The broadcasting channel recently revealed its presenting roster for the 2024 season, and it didn’t have the change the F1 community wanted. 

Set to make an appearance on 7 of 24 race weekends. That’s seven more than fans would’ve liked, especially after all the controversial things Danica Patrick did in 2023. On an episode of her podcast Pretty Intense, Patrick hosted a climate change denier. It’s evident that climate change is happening; F1’s Net Zero Carbon by 2030 initiative is all about that. So when the former NASCAR driver hosted Randall Carlson, people didn’t take it too well.

Then, in December 2023, Patrick found herself in hot water after she shared photos from a Turning Point USA event. The association with Turning Point USA, known for its conservative leanings, drew a barrage of criticism, with some accusing her of backing ideas they see as detrimental. And if that wasn’t enough, her reaction to Martin Truex Jr.’s handling of his ex-girlfriend Sherry Pollex’s passing—following her battle with ovarian cancer for nine years—struck a nerve. 

Patrick blasted Truex Jr. for his statement, calling it insensitive and cold. She wrote, “I avoid negativity on social at almost all costs. Almost…. But this is the most insensitive disconnected statement from a guy that I have never liked. And obviously for good reason. I don’t care what happened between them but this is as cold as it gets. A PR rep wrote this guaranteed. You’re free from this now Sherry.” 

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The outburst, among all the other things, didn’t sit well with NASCAR and F1 fans alike. So, when Sky Sports F1 announced her as part of its team for 2024, it made fans say things like, “I guess I’ll be watching with the sound off.”

Danica Patrick and Sky Sports have “ruined” 2024 for the F1 community

Watching sports is an experience in itself. Watching sports with good commentary? Now that makes for an even better experience, one that fans believe Danica Patrick doesn’t provide.

Despite questions like, “Was there a difference between the soft, medium, and hard compound tires?” to Lewis Hamilton over and above her controversial takes, Sky Sports seems to have brushed it all off. But fans weren’t in a forgiving mood, so much so that one of them wrote straightforwardly, “No one wants her.”

Considering 2024 has just started, with the excitement of car launches and pre-season testing palpable, one fan couldn’t believe Sky Sports put a damper on the season even before the F1 action kicked off. As one F1 fan said, “That’s the season ruined before it’s even started,” another followed suit.

With 2009 F1 World Champion Jenson Button returning as well, the F1 community tried to focus on the positives that could come from Danica Patrick presenting. Last season, during the Mexican GP weekend, the former NASCAR driver misquoted McLaren driver Lando Norris. That prompted Jenson Button to correct her on live TV. Considering that wasn’t just a one-time thing, one user wrote, “Honestly, I like Jenson getting in his little jabs at her. It’s fun to see her put in her place by a World Champion.”

Some fans haven’t forgotten her cutting remarks, especially about Truex Jr., with one user writing, “Never forget the awful things she said about Truex…” 

To put the nail in the coffin, one follower questioned Sky Sports for their questionable selections. Seeing as there are many presenters out there who can add so much value to a broadcast, the fan posed a simple question. “Really, there was no one else?”

How do you feel about Danica Patrick returning to the Sky Sports F1 presenting team for the 2024 season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

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