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Popular F1 presenter poised for comeback at this race after neck surgery

Photo: Race Pictures

19:01, 04 Mar

byTobia Elia

Sky Sports F1 presenter Natalie Pinkham set to return at the Japanese Grand Prix after undergoing neck surgery at the end of 2025.

“My first (GP) that I will be presenting for Sky F1 this year is Japan. I am really happy about that because I bloody love Suzuka, so very excited to see you then”

- Natalie Pinkham

Pinkham set for return at the Japanese Grand Prix

The well-known presenter for the broadcaster that holds Formula 1 rights in the United Kingdom had been absent from the paddock since the Italian Grand Prix at Monza after being diagnosed with degenerative disc disease in her cervical spine.

Doctors performed an anterior cervical discectomy to relieve the pressure on her spinal cord, with Pinkham then beginning a lengthy rehabilitation process.

The 48-year-old from Buckinghamshire had initially been expected to return towards the end of last season, but a longer-than-anticipated recovery kept her on the sidelines for a while longer.

Photo: Race Pictures

However, through her social media channels, Pinkham revealed that she has now been given the green light by doctors and will be able to resume her duties in Suzuka.

“It has been a long, and if I’m completely honest, quite difficult five months of rehab since my neck surgery, but I’m really happy to say that I have been given the all clear to do long hauls again.

“My first (GP) that I will be presenting for Sky F1 this year is Japan. I am really happy about that because I bloody love Suzuka, so very excited to see you then.

“It will be the first time that the ‘Karen cage’, the bit of metal work at the back of my neck, is going to the other side of the world. It's called Karen because she moans a lot.”