Sky Sports F1 pundit leaves after 13 years and issues emotional statement | F1 | Sport

Damon Hill has announced his departure from the Sky Sports F1 pundit line-up in an emotional statement, bringing an end to a 13-year partnership with the broadcaster.

The 1996 F1 world champion released a statement on his X page on Friday confirming the news. It read: “It’s been a fantastic 13 years with @SkySportsF1 but all good things come to an end.

“I will miss the most impressive bunch of professionals it has ever been my pleasure to have worked with. Looking forward to new challenges #F1.”

Whether or not Hill’s departure was triggered by Sky Sports or was a personal decision is yet to be confirmed, but the 64-year-old’s exit will leave a big hole in the broadcaster’s punditry line-up for 2025.

Hill is one of just three former world champions in the current roster alongside Jenson Button and Nico Rosberg, while fellow drivers Karun Chandhok, Anthony Davidson and Danica Patrick also contribute their insights.

The former Williams driver recently found himself attracting the ire of Max Verstappen, after criticising the Dutchman’s driving conduct in Austin and Mexico City. The reigning world champion hit back at Hill and fellow pundit Johnny Herbert, saying: “I don’t listen to those individuals, I just do my own thing.”

Hill responded to Verstappen, telling Sky Sports F1: “Yes, I do [stand by my comments]. I think that he’s using fear and intimidation, but I think he also has explained a little bit more about his tactics, which has been that he regards it as a gamble. Sometimes it may pay off, sometimes he may get the better of the stewards.

“They might not apply a penalty and is also using it as a way of compromising the title contender in Lando Norris. So there is some logic. There’s some method to his angriness if you want to call it that, on the track, but as he says, he knows what he’s doing, but is it right and is it fair?

“I think there is also a rule somewhere, and the regulations have said that everyone has to drive…they’re there to ensure fairness, and we shouldn’t be condoning driving cars off the track.”