In a surprising twist, Bernie Collins, former Formula 1 engineer and current pundit, has voiced her outrage over the penalty handed down to Danica Patrick by Sky Sports. The penalty, which was a response to Patrick’s controversial remarks about Lewis Hamilton following his 2024 Belgian Grand Prix victory, has sparked significant debate within the F1 community.

Patrick, a former racing driver and current F1 commentator, found herself in hot water after making what many perceived as derogatory comments about Hamilton’s win. Her remarks were seen by some as crossing the line, leading to Sky Sports imposing a penalty that includes a suspension from commentary for the next three races and a public apology.

Collins, however, did not mince words when expressing her disagreement with Sky Sports’ decision. She accused the network of overreacting and questioned the fairness of penalizing Patrick for what she called “freedom of expression.”

“Danica’s comments, while perhaps controversial, reflect her perspective as someone who has been in the racing world and knows the pressures of competition,” Collins stated during a live broadcast. “To penalize her so harshly for voicing her opinion undermines the spirit of open discussion that should be encouraged in sports commentary.”

Collins also suggested that the penalty might set a dangerous precedent, where commentators could be silenced for sharing opinions that do not align with popular sentiment. “We have to be careful not to create an environment where people are afraid to speak their minds. Sports thrive on diverse viewpoints and healthy debate, and stifling that could do more harm than good.”

The incident has sparked a wider conversation about the role of commentators in F1 and the balance between maintaining respect for athletes and allowing for critical analysis. While some fans and analysts support Sky Sports’ decision, others, like Collins, believe it may have gone too far.

Danica Patrick has yet to make a public statement regarding the penalty or Collins’ defense of her comments. However, the controversy is far from over, as it continues to stir strong opinions across the racing world. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen whether Sky Sports will reconsider its stance or if this will mark a turning point in how media networks handle the opinions of their commentators.