Sky F1 Under Fire As Danica Patrick Returns To Austin - 'Insult To Women In Motorsport'

The return of former NASCAR driver Danica Patrick to Sky Sports' Formula 1 coverage during the U.S. Grand Prix in Austin has sparked a large amount of criticism from fans and reignited debates about the responsibilities broadcasters should have.

Taking place from October 18-20, 2024, at the Circuit of The Americas, Patrick's participation on the opening day led to a widespread social media backlash.

The former driver's reappearance came shortly after rumors had falsely circulated that she was dismissed from Sky Sports, only to be debunked soon after. Her involvement in the F1 broadcast this past weekend has brought attention to her controversial history and opinions that many believe conflict with the values of the sport and its broadcasting partners.

Patrick's past affiliations and opinions, including the endorsement of debunked conspiracy theories, public support for the Trump/Vance 2024 campaign, and her strong comments about the all-female F1 Academy racing series, have drawn significant scrutiny.

Danica Patrick broadcasts from the paddock during the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 9, 2024 in Montreal, Canada. Sky Sports F1 comes under fire for Danica Patrick appearance in... Kym Illman/Getty Images

During an appearance on the Sky Sports F1 podcast last year, Patrick was asked about the importance of introducing a female driver to Formula 1 and it's safe to say her response did not go down well with a lot of fans. She commented:

"Well, you're assuming I want that, you're assuming that is important to me, and it's not.

"It's always an interesting stance I have on it. I think that what makes the sport really popular is great racing - you can have half the field out there women and have it be follow the leader, and it's not going to be interesting to watch.

"Good racing, and that's what we have so much of these days in Formula 1, I mean pretty much everything other than Max is a toss-up for who's going to be second, third, fourth, fifth that weekend, and so that's what makes it really appealing.

"And so I think, as someone who obviously was a girl, you've just got to come up like normal."

Patrick has also not shied away from other highly-debated topics such as American politics and climate change.

Here are a selection of the responses to Patrick's appearance at the Austin Grand Prix this weekend. (All comments are the opinions of those posting and do not reflect Newsweek.com.)

"Unbelievable that Danica Patrick is still part of @SkySportsF1 broadcast this weekend. She's an active political campaigner spreading disinformation weeks out from an election. After everything she has said and done I'm baffled Sky would still support her."

"Hey @F1 @SkySportsF1 Danica Patrick is awful. Even we Americans don't like having to hear her as we're trying to enjoy F1. Please spare us in the future. She also believes in and represents some awful things that you shouldn't want near your sport."

"Here's a brief summary of why I can't stand danica Patrick it's what she said about women in motorsport you think she would understand but no she's an insult to women in motorsport. This is what she said. It hurts seeing it as someone who wants women to belong in motorsport." [sic]

"Boycotting all @SkySportsF1 buildup this weekend cause of @DanicaPatrick. Amazes me how she is picked over Nico and Villeneuve etc for some weekends."