As the Formula 1 circus rolls into Monte Carlo for the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix, former IndyCar and NASCAR star Danica Patrick has returned to the Sky Sports F1 punditry team, igniting headlines with a bold and unexpected statement about title contenders Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. Known for her outspoken commentary, Patrick, who missed Sky’s Imola coverage to attend the Indy 500, re-entered the F1 spotlight with a provocative claim: “Hamilton’s hunger will outshine Verstappen’s dominance this weekend.” Her remark, made during a pre-race segment, caught fans and analysts off guard, given Verstappen’s commanding form and Hamilton’s struggles at Ferrari. The statement has sparked heated debate across social media and Italian media, amplifying anticipation for one of F1’s most prestigious races.

Patrick, a polarizing figure in F1 broadcasting due to her candid style and past controversies, made the comment while analyzing the season’s dynamics. Verstappen, the four-time reigning champion, has been a force in 2025, fresh off a stunning victory at Imola where he overcame a tricky RB21 setup to outpace McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. His Red Bull team, despite off-track tensions involving team principal Christian Horner, leads the constructors’ standings, with Verstappen holding a 48-point advantage over McLaren’s Lando Norris in the drivers’ championship. Hamilton, meanwhile, has faced a challenging debut season at Ferrari. His P4 finish at Imola, clawing back from a dismal P12 in qualifying, was a highlight, but Ferrari’s SF-25 car has been plagued by inconsistency, leaving them fourth in the constructors’ race, 152 points behind McLaren.

“Lewis has something to prove in Monaco,” Patrick said on Sky Sports, standing alongside Martin Brundle and Jenson Button. “He’s racing for the tifosi, for his legacy, and he’s got that fire Max might be underestimating. Max is phenomenal, but Monaco’s tight streets reward instinct over raw pace, and Lewis has that in spades.” Her assertion that Hamilton’s experience and desperation could trump Verstappen’s current supremacy raised eyebrows, especially given Verstappen’s 2021 Monaco win and his knack for precision on the principality’s unforgiving circuit. Posts on X reflected the surprise, with @F1Fanatic23 writing, “Danica calling Hamilton hungrier than Max? That’s a wild take!” Others, like @TifosiForever, embraced the optimism, noting, “If Lewis can pull off a miracle in Monaco, Danica’s spot on.”

Patrick’s return to Sky’s lineup comes after a tumultuous period. Her absence from Imola, confirmed by GPFans as a scheduled break for Indy 500 duties, fueled speculation about her future, especially after fan backlash over her political comments and a 2024 hoax claiming she was sacked. Despite this, Sky retained her for 2025, valuing her motorsport pedigree as the only woman to win an IndyCar race. Her Monaco appearance, however, has shifted focus to her racing insights. Patrick’s claim draws on Hamilton’s storied history at Monaco, where he has three wins, including a masterful 2019 victory. She argued that Ferrari’s upgrades, expected to address the SF-25’s braking issues, could give Hamilton an edge in Monaco’s low-speed corners, where Red Bull’s aerodynamic advantage is less pronounced.

Italian media, still reeling from Ferrari’s Imola disappointment, latched onto Patrick’s statement as a rallying cry. Gazzetta dello Sport praised her for spotlighting Hamilton’s resilience, while Corriere dello Sport questioned whether Verstappen’s aggressive style, penalized in Jeddah earlier this year, might falter on Monaco’s narrow streets. Fans on X were divided, with some dismissing Patrick’s take as biased toward Hamilton, citing her 2021 praise of his “cool and calm” demeanor during his title fight with Verstappen. Others saw merit, pointing to Hamilton’s ability to extract results from a subpar car, as seen in Imola’s P4.

The Monaco Grand Prix, with its glitz and unforgiving layout, sets the stage for a potential showdown. Verstappen, partnered with Liam Lawson after Sergio Perez’s departure, remains the favorite, but Hamilton’s experience and Ferrari’s home-like support from nearby Maranello could make waves. Patrick’s bold prediction has added intrigue, with Brundle noting, “Danica’s not wrong about Lewis’s hunger, but Max is a machine in any conditions.” As the grid prepares for qualifying, where track position is king, all eyes are on whether Hamilton can channel his 2019 magic or if Verstappen’s relentless form will prevail. For now, Patrick’s statement has ensured that Monaco’s drama extends beyond the track, captivating a global audience eager for an upset.