Natalie Pinkham teases Las Vegas return after Brazil setback as Sky F1 shuffles the deck
Natalie Pinkham has hinted she could be back on Sky Sports F1 duty for this weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix, a welcome sign after her aborted comeback in Brazil earlier this month.
The long-time presenter hasn’t been on screen since the Italian Grand Prix at Monza in September, stepping away after neck surgery and later telling fans she’d be “out of action for a bit.” She was poised to return at Interlagos, only for a late setback to force a change of plan on the eve of the weekend.
Cue a rapid reshuffle behind the scenes. Simon Lazenby binned a rare weekend off, flew to São Paulo and fronted from Saturday, while Craig Slater and Ted Kravitz covered Friday running. It was a reminder of how tightly tuned Sky F1’s operation is — and how much Pinkham’s presence anchors their coverage.
Now, there’s a nudge that she’s ready to rejoin the circus. Pinkham posted a short clip on social media featuring past Las Vegas moments and added, “Vegas, vicariously. Race weekend incoming folks.” It’s not quite a boarding pass selfie, but it’s close enough that fans took it as an imminent return. “Welcome back Natalie! We’ve missed you,” read one reply. Another: “It looks like you’re back at F1 this weekend! Good to hear.”
Whether “vicariously” means on-site or contributing remotely remains to be seen, and Sky typically locks its final presenting roster close to the event. But it would fit the rotation the broadcaster has leaned into as Formula 1’s calendar has ballooned. Pinkham, 48, has shared lead presenting duties with Lazenby in recent seasons — a balance that’s helped keep the show sharp across relentless double- and triple-headers.
The last couple of months, Pinkham admitted, have been tougher than expected following her procedure. She was spotted at Brentford vs Newcastle United on the day of the Brazilian Grand Prix alongside Daniel Ricciardo — the former Red Bull and McLaren driver and godfather to her son, Wilf — and has been characteristically candid about the recovery. At an event last week she joked she’s named her neck cage “Karen” because “she gives me a lot of grief,” adding she’s learning to love the scar and even crowdsourcing name suggestions for it. That mix of humour and honesty is exactly why viewers want her back on their screens.
Las Vegas, of course, is no small stage on which to step back. It’s a maximalist showpiece — neon, night racing, showbiz everywhere — and a logistical test for any TV crew. Pinkham’s poise in the chaos has always played well in these settings, switching from paddock politics to late-night grid energy without missing a beat. With one street race left to run under the lights, Sky would love to have the full band back together.
If she does return, expect a familiar rhythm: Lazenby or Pinkham leading from the paddock, Martin Brundle weaving through pre-race mayhem, and the pit wall covered by Kravitz’s notebook and the analyst crew. If circumstances dictate she waits one more round, the signs at least point the right way for a season-ending cameo.
Either way, it’s good to see Pinkham sounding like herself again — a little cheeky, very game, and itching to dive back into the paddock. Vegas does love a comeback. This one would go down nicely.
