As fans tuned in for pre-race coverage at the Miami International Autodrome, many couldn’t help but focus more on what Patrick wore than what she said.

The ex-NASCAR and IndyCar driver, now a regular fixture on Sky Sports’ Formula One broadcast team, showed up in a white, one-shoulder mini dress and matching white sneakers.

But what was intended to be a casual look quickly sparked a digital frenzy.

Online critics were swift and unrelenting.

The dress — short in length and minimalist in design — prompted a flurry of comparisons that ranged from humorous to downright brutal. One X user quip,

“Did Danica think she was headed to a toga party instead of a Grand Prix?” Others described her outfit as resembling a “bath towel” or “bed sheet,” suggesting it looked more appropriate for lounging at home than appearing on international sports coverage.

“She turned up looking like she wrapped herself in a hotel towel,” another poster remarked. “Meanwhile, the guys next to her looked like they were ready to call the race — not hit the spa.”

 

Even harsher comments took aim not just at her fashion sense but at her political affiliations. One critic wrote, “Is Danica doing Paper Bag Princess cosplay, or is that just MAGA couture?” — a strike at Patrick’s public support for President Donald Trump during the 2024 campaign.

That support, however, didn’t appear to earn her a place at the former president’s celebration. Despite her vocal backing, Patrick was notably absent from Trump’s post-election victory party at Mar-a-Lago. Evidently disappointed, the Wisconsin native shared a photo of herself and two other women seated on a carpeted floor, captioned with a pointed question: “Where was our Mar-a-Lago invite?”

 

Patrick’s commentary on Formula One has long been divisive, with some fans appreciating her crossover perspective while others criticize her grasp of the sport’s intricate dynamics. Her fashion choice in Miami has only furthered the debate over her place in F1 coverage.

Meanwhile, back on the track, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri took home the win, followed closely by teammate Lando Norris in second. Mercedes’ George Russell rounded out the podium with a solid third-place finish.

 

But for many viewers, it wasn’t just the racing that made headlines this weekend — it was Danica Patrick’s outfit and the online firestorm that followed.