Craig Slater stepped in to present Sky Sports’s coverage of the Brazilian Grand Prix on Friday after Natalie Pinkham was forced to pull out of fronting this weekend’s action.
The 48-year-old most recently led the coverage at Monza in September but revealed on Thursday that she is not ready to return to work yet.
“Hello friends,” Pinkham, who has been part of Sky’s coverage of the sport since it gained the rights from the BBC in 2012, said on Instagram.
“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.
“Huge thanks to the Sky F1 team and the wider company for their incredible support. Love and thanks to Biowell Health for helping me to heal, and to Dr Ben Carraway 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!”
Slater, the regular F1 reporter for Sky Sports News, took on a new role over a busy sprint weekend at the Interlagos Circuit, with regular presenter Lazenby also absent on Friday.
The Scottish journalist appeared alongside Martin Brundle and Jamie Chadwick ahead of practice on Friday, though Lazenby is expected to be present on-site for the sprint race and qualifying on Saturday.
Ted Kravitz, Sky’s pitlane reporter, will take the helm for sprint qualifying later on Friday.
F1 has four rounds remaining this season – Brazil, Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi – with Lando Norris leading the way in a three-horse battle for the world championship.