5 hours ago
1
Sky Sports presenter Natalie Pinkham has revealed she will be forced to miss the Brazilian Grand Prix as she continues her recovery from neck surgery.
Pinkham, 48, had undergone surgery in September where she informed fans she would be 'out of action for a little bit'.
The broadcaster explained on a podcast with Gabby Logan last month that doctors had advised her to have the surgery, as she was at risk of permanent nerve damage caused by a disc pressing on her spinal cord.
Pinkham, who has been part of Sky Sports F1 coverage since 2012, has been absent since the Italian Grand Prix as she recovers.
She had hoped to make her return at the Brazilian Grand Prix this weekend, but in a progress update with fans on Thursday, revealed despite her recovery progressing she is still not yet ready to return.
'Hello friends… I had hoped to be on a flight to Brazil yesterday, but the last couple of months have been trickier than I expected following neck surgery; and I am not there just yet,' Pinkham wrote.
Sky Sports presenter Natalie Pinkham has revealed she had to pull out of coverage of the Brazilian Grand Prix as she continues her recovery following neck surgery
Pinkham shared photos following the neck surgery, left, and the scar as it continues to heal
The broadcaster underwent surgery after being told she was at risk of permanent nerve damage caused by a disc pressing on her spinal cord
'Huge thanks to the Sky F1 team and the wider company for their incredible support.
'Love and thanks to @biowellhealth for helping me to heal…. And to @drbencarraway for starting to get me moving again.
'And here's to family, friends, good food and fresh air for their combined healing qualities.
'Now the hard work really starts…. let's do this!
'(Sorry if you don't like scars).'
Speaking on the Mid Point with Gabby Logan last month, Pinkham said the surgery came with a potential risk of losing her voice.
The Sky Sports presenter had only just begun speaking again after the successful surgery and admitted the break from her role did offer a 'period of reflection.'
'They have to actually take your voice box out, which is a bit gross,' Pinkham said.
'You have to sign something to say you might lose your voice. Then, they have to move the oesophagus, trachea and then basically they have taken out the disc and they have fused it, but they have also put in a little cage to try to prop the neck up.
'I've never really had [a break] in the last 20-odd years and it's interesting because when you stop physically, that's often when you stir up the mental noise. It's been a real period of reflection, the last six weeks, which has had its pros and cons.
Pinkham revealed to Gabby Logan last month that the surgery came with a risk of losing her voice
The broadcaster admitted the enforced time off work had allowed for a period of reflection
'This is the first time I've spoken a few sentences at a time – it's quite hard to talk because of all the scar tissue. It feels like you eat or drink something and it just stops there, you have to wait a while. So, little snacks throughout the day as opposed to big meals.'
The Brazilian Grand Prix will take place on Sunday, following the sprint race on Saturday in Sao Paulo.
McLarten’s Lando Norris holds a single point lead over team-mate Oscar Piastri heading into the Grand Prix, while reigning world champion Max Verstappen is 36 points off the championship lead.
The concluding weeks of the season will see both the Las Vegas and Qatar Grand Prix’s follow later this month, before the title race ends in Abu Dhabi on December 7.
