02 February 2023 , 17:10
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Naomi Schiff was surprised to be offered a role as a Sky Sports pundit despite never having driven a Formula 1 car.
The 28-year-old is the newest member of the presenting line-up, having joined for the 2022 season. She previously raced in W Series for the 2019 season, before taking the role of diversity and inclusion ambassador for the all-female racing series.
It was during that time that Schiff – who holds duel Rwandan and Belgian nationality, grew up in South Africa and lives now in the UK – began to do more broadcast work. She was approached by her current employer ahead of last season, during which she began appearing regularly on F1 race weekends.
Speaking about that move, she told model and motorsport enthusiast Jodie Kidd about her shock on being approached in the first place. "I was very surprised to have a call from Sky," she said on the Kidd in a Sweet Shop podcast.
"Weirdly, I didn't ever think that they would consider me as a pundit because of the fact that I obviously, had never driven an F1 car. But I was so delighted when they suggested it because I was like, 'This is going to fill the void in my life of not being a driver anymore'.
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"And I can still speak from the point of experience because whether it's an F1 car, an F3 car or a KTM GT4 or Ferrari Challenge car, whatever it is, I've driven so many different cars and racing is, at the end of the day, racing and drivers are drivers.
"Yes, the pressure is higher and yes, the equipment is quicker and more technologically advanced, but it's the same thing. If we're realistic, there aren't many women or many drivers who have careers in motorsport which are secure, with a steady income.
"I thought it was a wise decision because I have to think about my future. I've been fighting for my racing career for 16 years and it's still a struggle. Did I really want to continue struggling at my age? This was a good opportunity."
Schiff will be spotted on screens again this year as part of Sky Sports' coverage. The overall presenting team will be made up of two fewer people for the 2023 season, after the departures of Johnny Herbert and Paul di Resta at the end of their previous contracts.
Full Sky Sports F1 presenting line-up for 2023
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Jenson Button
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Nico Rosberg
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Naomi Schiff
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Martin Brundle
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Damon Hill
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Karun Chandhok
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Anthony Davidson
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Natalie Pinkham
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Ted Kravitz
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Danica Patrick
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Simon Lazenby
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David Croft
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Rachel Brookes