Sky F1 star in health update as presenter disappears from lineup

A Sky Sports Deutschland presenter's absence from the Australian Grand Prix has been explained in a health update delivered by one of their Formula 1 colleagues.

Whilst the UK's Sky Sports lineup may be well known across the world with famous faces such as David Croft and Martin Brundle, Sky broadcasts separate F1 coverage in European countries such as Italy and Germany.

The German version of Sky includes former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher, Peter Hardenacke and long-term pitlane reporter Sandra Baumgartner.

Baumgartner has reported live from the F1 paddock since 2012, where she became a pit lane reporter for Sky Deutschland, and appeared for the first race of the 2025 season in Melbourne.

Sky Germany F1 presenter disappears live on air

During F1’s season opening race at the Australian Grand Prix, long-term Sky Germany reporter Sandra Baumgartner went missing midway through the broadcast.

However, after conducting driver interviews as normal in Melbourne, viewers suddenly spotted her missing from the broadcast, with her colleague Peter Hardenacke clarifying after the race that she was unwell.

"Some of you will miss Sandra. We will! She said goodbye during the race. She's not feeling well. She already had a headache yesterday after the first day and qualifying," he said.

"Best wishes, Sandra! Get well soon."

“We hope you'll be back hosting the warm-up for the Chinese Grand Prix on Thursday at the latest."

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A post shared by Sandra Baumgartner (@f1sandrabaumgartner)

Baumgartner’s illness was thankfully not serious with the reporter confirming on her Instagram that she had picked up a virus and that she will be back in China for Thursday’s warm up.

“Melbourne was great until the virus got me,” she wrote.

“I'll be back on Thursday for the warm up for China. My next local race is Bahrain and not due to illness, that was already planned.”

READ MORE: FIA issues statement as delays hit Chinese Grand Prix

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