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.

Pinkham was scheduled to present this weekend’s race in Sao Paulo but was unable to travel as she continues her recovery from neck surgery.

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 S

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