It seems like Danica Patrick just cannot catch a break. With her name missing from Sky Sports’ F1 panel for 2026, people online appear to be breathing a sigh of relief.

However, she has opened up on why she stepped away, and she revealed that the decision to step away was hers.

According to her Instagram post, her decision to step away was not sudden and unexpected.

"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!" she wrote on her 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!" she said.

After retiring from all forms of racing in 2018, Patrick joined NBC in 2019 as an analyst to cover the Indy 500. Not long afterwards, she became a part of Sky Sports' F1 on-screen team in 2021, where she worked for 5 years.

For now, Danica Patrick will be focusing on her other interests and ventures, while Sky Sports will welcome back Naomi Schiff.

Viewers have also been vocal about her presence on Sky’s F1 coverage team, despite her actually never competing in Formula 1 during her racing days.

However, Formula 1 fans are happy after Danica Patrick’s departure

On Reddit, fans were quick to notice and give their opinions. As one fan commented, "Thank god, so many better women commentators out there aren't universally hated.”

Another fan pointed out her political views and her tendency to discuss conspiracy theories on various podcasts.

“Finally, I have no clue how she was ever included. She has questionable political and idealistic views, but worst of all, she was a terrible commentator/TV personality. Added nothing of value and often derailed others mid-flow," the fan wrote.

A thing that stood out in the comments by a fan was the dynamic between Jenson Button and Danica Patrick.

While discussing Kimi Antonelli and Carlos Sainz’s crash at the 2025 US GP, Button smirked towards the camera as Patrick spoke, which resulted in yet more debates during the time.

“Great news, no idea why they even chose her in the first place. Will miss Jenson's (Button) reactions to her stupid comments, though,” a fan commented.

Another fan added, "About f****** time. I always thought Jensen was going to faint listening to some of the c*** she spouted."

On some instances, even her fellow analysts have had to disagree with her insights.

When Patrick claimed that the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve wasn’t a super challenging track, Nico Rosberg disagreed, stating that Montreal is among the hardest race tracks because of its bumps and how one needs to be perfect at each curb.

Written by

Aaradhya Singh

Edited by

Kaamna Dwivedi