Sky Sports F1 presenter Natalie Pinkham has confirmed she will return to broadcasting duties at the Japanese Grand Prix later this month, following a five-month recovery from neck surgery. Pinkham missed the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on Sunday after being sidelined to prevent permanent nerve damage caused by a disc pressing on her spinal cord.
In an Instagram update, Pinkham described the recovery period as “difficult” but said she has been given the all-clear to travel long-haul again. Her first race back will be at Suzuka, a circuit she said she “bloody loves”. Pinkham also revealed she has named the metalwork in her neck “Karen” because “she moans a lot”, and plans to call her scar “Scarlos Sainz”, with Williams driver Carlos Sainz providing a social media clip to announce it.
Pinkham shared several progress photographs of her scar, from early recovery to five months later. She had previously written on social media that she had hoped to be on a flight to Brazil but was not yet ready, thanking the Sky F1 team for their support.
The Japanese Grand Prix weekend begins on March 27. Lando Norris, the reigning world champion, will aim to become only the second British driver after Lewis Hamilton to win back-to-back titles.
