"Somehow Danica Patrick has managed to make herself even more annoying than usual": Fans react to the pundit being a part of the F1 broadcast team

F1 fans have criticized former NASCAR driver Danica Patrick's return to the F1 paddock as a Sky Sports F1 broadcast team member for the ongoing 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this weekend. The American is a controversial figure in the motorsport world owing to her opinions on several topics on and off the track.

When it was announced that Patrick would cover the year's final race, F1 fans on X shared their thoughts on her inclusion, with one saying:

"Somehow Danica Patrick has managed to make herself even more annoying than usual. Didn’t even think that would be possible."

"@SkySportsF1 why oh why do you employ Danica Patrick the woman is clueless."

"Final race of the season and we get Danica Patrick, please get rid of her @SkySportsF1."

Here are some more reactions:

"@SkySportsF1 @ESPNF1have shipped Patrick out to the #AbuDhabiGP.. Will be tuning in 30 seconds before race start and switching off immediately after in that case," a fan wrote.

"Dear God, @SkySportsF1 have got Danica back again!" another said.

"Ffs @SkySportsF1 get rid of that skeleton thing Danica, she is rancid and offers NOTHING of value to the sport!" one tweeted.

The 42-year-old has been part of the Sky F1 broadcasting team for the last couple of years and has been a pundit on several race weekends with them. However, fans have called her out on many occasions for her views on topics such as the future of women in motorsport, her controversial podcast, and her association with US President Donald Trump.

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Danica Patrick gives her take on Ferrari winning the championship over McLaren

Danica Patrick has said it would be "statically very difficult" for Ferrari to close down a 21-point gap to McLaren in the season finale this weekend in Abu Dhabi. On the Sky F1 show post the FP2 on Friday, the 42-year-old said:

"Statistically it was going to be very difficult, so look, I think the best thing that they can do is come away with a win. If one of the drivers can win that would be great and I like their chances. As a team race conditions they're very consistent, and I feel like they've had a lot of really good race cars, even if they don't win the constructor's championship. That would be obviously a fantastic ending." (11:30)

The Italian team will be at a disadvantage in Abu Dhabi given that Charles Leclerc would take a 10-place grid penalty for taking a new battery for the race. With McLaren looking competitive in the first two practice sessions, it would be difficult to turn the deficit around.