Danica Patrick has stepped away from her role covering Formula 1 for Sky Sports, a move she says she initiated just after Apple secured U.S. broadcast rights. The departure removes a familiar voice from F1 coverage and coincides with shifting broadcast arrangements that are reshaping who viewers will hear at races.
She left by choice, she says
Patrick told The Associated Press she was not dismissed but asked to leave. After the most recent season, she contacted Sky and said she was ready to move on, ending a presenting stint that began in 2021.
Her explanation was straightforward: the job demanded more time at the track than she anticipated and she wanted space for other professional priorities. Patrick described the role as educational and intense — she learned a great deal about the sport and its personalities, and became an even bigger fan in the process.
What comes next
Rather than stepping back from public life, Patrick is redirecting her focus. She is launching a new company, has joined several boards, and is carving out time to learn new sports such as tennis, golf and skiing. Those projects, she said, require the flexibility she no longer had while juggling on-air commitments.
- Tenure: Joined Sky Sports’ F1 coverage in 2021 and left after the most recent season.
- Reason: Patrick says she requested the exit to pursue business opportunities and personal interests.
- Next steps: Building a company, board roles, and new athletic pursuits.
- Broadcast context: Her departure follows Apple’s acquisition of U.S. rights, a development that is reshaping commentary teams.
Patrick was complimentary about her colleagues at Sky, calling the team the reason she stayed as long as she did. She acknowledged the heavy workload — sometimes heavier than the demands of race weekends when she competed — but said the group made the experience enjoyable.
Career background
Patrick first rose to prominence as a driver in the IndyCar Series, debuting in 2005 at age 21. She later transitioned to NASCAR and formally ended her professional driving career in 2018. Her move into broadcasting followed, bringing the perspective of a former competitor to television coverage.
The timing of her exit matters for viewers and for broadcasters: with U.S. rights shifting and production teams adapting, familiar on-air faces like Patrick’s will be part of a broader reshuffle. For Patrick, the change is framed as a voluntary pivot toward entrepreneurship and new challenges outside the paddock.
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