Danica Patrick turned heads at the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix—not just for her insights on Sky Sports F1 but also for her glamorous Instagram photo dump that showcased her weekend in Sin City. The former IndyCar and NASCAR star, now a pundit for Formula 1, shared highlights of her time at the glitzy event, leaving her fans thrilled by her presence off the track. However, the buzz around Patrick hasn’t all been glowing, with criticisms of her punditry continuing to shadow her appearances.

A glamorous weekend amid fans’ cheers

The night race on the iconic Vegas Strip made headlines as Max Verstappen clinched his fourth consecutive world title, but Patrick’s weekend schedule wasn’t without its challenges. The late-night timings—races starting at 10 PM and wrapping around midnight—transformed her routine. As she quipped on Instagram, “I am now nocturnal after that schedule 🤪 but we had a lot of fun!!!!!” alongside photos of her black-and-gold ensemble and snapshots with F1 legends like Martin Brundle, Jenson Button, as well as Ted Kravitz.

Patrick’s Instagram post drew plenty of admiration. One fan gushed, “Your outfit seems to match your effervescent personality,” while another proclaimed her “the most beautiful bada— in the biz.” Her role as a visible and engaging commentator has endeared her to many American fans, especially with the sport’s growing U.S. audience.

The Las Vegas Grand Prix was a spectacle, from the dazzling neon-lit backdrop to George Russell’s commanding victory. Lewis Hamilton clawed his way to second after a rough qualifying starting him in P10. Despite Verstappen’s continued dominance, the race itself reflected a season in which McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes have challenged Red Bull more effectively than in past years, injecting much-needed unpredictability into F1.

Patrick’s lively pit lane presence brought extra flair to the broadcast. Yet her weekend wasn’t all smooth racing. Online, while some praised her energy, others raised eyebrows about her role in the Sky Sports team, particularly in the wake of Damon Hill’s sudden departure.

Critics question Patrick’s commentary credentials

Earlier this month, Damon Hill, the 1996 Formula 1 World Champion and a longtime Sky Sports pundit, announced his departure from the broadcast team. His farewell sparked a wave of nostalgia and frustration, particularly as Danica Patrick remains a part of the lineup. Fans took to social media to vent their disbelief at what they saw as an unfair exchange of talent.

“Sky Sports is a joke,” wrote one user. “Danica Patrick is still employed by them, but Damon Hill gets let go?” Another quipped, “Losing the great Damon Hill but keeping Danica Patrick? Madness.”

While Hill’s polished commentary and deep technical analysis earned widespread respect, Danica Patrick has faced repeated criticism for her perceived lack of depth and controversial statements. One of her more infamous remarks, where she suggested that the aggressive nature of F1 isn’t “normal in a feminine mind,” still draws backlash. Detractors have described her commentary as overly simplistic and out of touch with the technical nuances expected in F1 punditry.

Others pointed out her podcast, Pretty Intense, where Patrick has hosted climate change denier guests—an uncomfortable juxtaposition with Formula 1’s stated goals of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. This contradiction hasn’t gone unnoticed by fans, particularly as prominent figures like Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel advocate for sustainability within the sport.

The decision to keep Patrick on, particularly for races in the U.S., seems to stem from her appeal to the growing American market. As F1 continues its push into the States with races in Miami, Austin, and now Las Vegas, Patrick provides a familiar face to U.S. audiences. However, not all fans are convinced this justifies her place on the broadcast team.

“Damon Hill leaving Sky Sports F1 while keeping Danica Patrick is a bit of a head-scratcher,” one fan wrote. “I’d rather hear Hill’s commentary and old stories than Danica’s repetitive analysis.”

While Patrick’s critics may be vocal, her star power and connection to a broader, perhaps less hardcore, audience remain undeniable, hence her presence. Her photo dump from Las Vegas showcased a pundit who’s embraced the spotlight as a presenter and a stylish one at that. But as the F1 fanbase grows and diversifies, so do their expectations for insightful and nuanced commentary.

Patrick’s role at Sky Sports F1 may not be universally beloved, but it undeniably keeps her in the conversation.