Danica Patrick’s relationship with Jenson Button | Sports News

For some Formula 1 followers, Danica Patrick and Jenson Button could have been perceived as an awkward pairing behind the Sky Sports F1 desk, however their historical past of jabs, jokes, and tension-filled moments runs far deeper than some shared TV segments on race weekends.

Their bond goes back to a time long earlier than both was a family title. Patrick was a 16-year-old American hopeful racing by means of the circuits of British motorsport after shifting from Illinois to Milton Keynes to hone her craft.

Patrick found a group that she then known as the Formula 1 “brat pack,” which included Button when he was 21 years previous. The relaxation of the group remained unnamed, however Button broke into the game with drivers like Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonnen.

“I met Lewis Hamilton at Jenson’s 21st birthday party, by which time Jenson was already an F1 driver,” Patrick as soon as recalled. “We were a brat pack of friends, he and a few other drivers. Button’s a nice guy. I was happy to see him win last year.”

Though she by no means raced instantly towards Button in Formula 1, the pair have been in the identical social scenes. Her profession would finally steer her to IndyAutomobile and NASCAR historical past, as she turned the primary lady to lead laps within the Indy 500 and Daytona 500.

When the 2 reunited for Sky Sports F1 protection, followers weren’t totally shopping for the pleasant historical past. During a number of broadcasts, viewers pointed to refined physique language and uncomfortable pauses between Button and Patrick, prompting suspicion that the pair weren’t as nice as perceived.

Some followers initially questioned Patrick’s credentials on the F1 desk, noting that whereas she’s a outstanding determine in motorsports historical past, she by no means competed in Formula One. She was referred to as out on a number of events, together with a notable second during the Canadian GP when she claimed that the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve observe was enjoyable however not “super challenging.”

Colleague Nico Rosberg disagreed with the help of F1 followers and referred to as it one of the toughest tracks on the schedule. “Montreal is one of the hardest tracks of the year, because there’s so many bumps and at every kerb you have to hit it so perfectly,” he defined. “It’s a actual driver’s observe, which is why Lewis Hamilton has gained all his data right here, and even Max Verstappen has gained all of the final races, as a result of the driving force can actually shine right here.”

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F1 followers have gone so far as asking the community to ban Patrick from occasions after her protection during the Miami Grand Prix, alongside Button. Button stays half of Sky’s core F1 protection for 2025, alongside Rosberg and Jacques Villeneuve.

Button joined Sky Sports F1 in 2018 and competed in F1 for 17 years. He gained the World Drivers’ Championship during the 2009 season and earned 15 Grand Prix’s during his profession.