F1 TV presenter Laura Winter said she was so nervous about telling F1 about her pregnancy when she found out early in 2025. Talking to sports journalism students at University of Gloucestershire she then explained that all those concerns were short lived and that Formula One were “brilliant with it”. She also explained that the pregnancy has changed her way of working as she now is often working from home during race weekends. however Winter revealed that she’ll be hoping to return to the paddock next week saying, “We’ll be looking to bring her out to races when we can”
Winter also spoke on how the growth of women in sport. She explained “I think it’s key, for every sport to grow it has to include every part of the demographic it’s serving.” Women’s viewership in the sport has grown massively over the last five years or so with 42% of Formula One viewers now being female. Females also contribute more to merchandise sales than males.
The 36-year-old also spoke about this seasons title race. When asked if it was going to go down to the wire she replied “I would love to see three drivers vying for the title in Abu Dhabi.” However, she then went on to make a prediction on the outcome “If I had to make a prediction right now I’d say Lando Norris.” Norris leads Mclaren teammate Oscar Piastri by twenty-four points with three races of the season remaining while reigning world champion Max Verstappen is in with a shot of retaining his title however, it’s a very long shot.
Winter also spoke about the 2024 allegations against former Red Bull boss Christian Horner. Horner was accused of inappropriate behaviour towards a female co-worker early in 2024 which sparked an internal investigation at the Austrian outfit and what many view as the start of Horner’s downfall with him leaving the team in 2025 after twenty years in charge. She explained “It was a legal case, which means we couldn’t say much other than the facts.” However, she did say she went and commented on the abuse women got on social media while the investigation was ongoing.
“I decided to say something on international women’s day” Winter then explained ” I had a moment on camera where I addressed the women and girls at home watching F1 that thought they couldn’t watch F1 and thought F1 wasn’t a safe space for them.” Many of women were suspect to abuse during and after the case including members of the Formula One paddock. Horner was found not guilty after the investigation, a controversial decision and left the team around a year and a half later after being team principal for the entirety of the teams twenty year history.
