“It is so irrational”: Danica Patrick reacts to Simon Biles-Riley Gaines viral controversy

Former IndyCar driver and Motorsports analyst Danica Patrick has reacted to the viral controversy between Simon Biles and Riley Gaines. Biles, a seven-time Olympic gold medalist, criticized Gaines in a blunt social media statement in response to the former swimmer's remarks targeting transgender athletes.

Their confrontation escalated on Friday night (June 6) after Gaines mocked the Minnesota State High School League for disabling comments on a social media post celebrating Champlin Park High School’s girls’ softball team, which had recently claimed the state championship. The team had a transgender girl among its players.

Champlin Park High School’s Marissa Rothenberger, a transgender girl and standout pitcher, helped propel her team to a 6–0 shutout win in the Class 4A championship game of the Minnesota State High School Softball Tournament. Delivering seven dominant innings and hitting two doubles, Rothenberger’s performance became a focal point in the ongoing national conversation about transgender athletes in girls’ sports.

Reposting a Fox News reel, Danica Patrick sided with Riley Gaines to oppose the participation of transgender athletes in all-women's games.

"This issue has a shelf life. I truly believe common sense will prevail. But until then, I am grateful for people like @rileygbarker who are making sure no one gets away with it. Not to mention that fact that she actually lived it. Defending men in women's sports is the woke mind virus and/or another issue that requires therapy. Either way, it is so irrational," wrote Patrick.

Screenshot of Danica Patrick's Instagram Story

Gaines started advocating for excluding transgender athletes in women's sports after she and Lia Thomas tied for fifth place in the 200-yard freestyle. However, only Thomas, a transgender swimmer, was awarded the trophy.

When Danica Patrick made a controversial statement about female participation in Motorsports

F1 Grand Prix of Mexico - Qualifying - Source: Getty

During a 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix broadcast aimed at younger audiences, Danica Patrick was asked whether a woman might soon break into Formula 1. Her answer, however, wasn’t particularly uplifting for young girls hoping to pursue a career in the sport.

Citing the low number of female participants in go-karting, Patrick explained, according to PlanetF1, that, in her experience, it takes about 100 male drivers to find a standout, and the same applies to female drivers. Because there are far fewer girls in the pipeline, she suggested, the chances of discovering top-tier female talent are much slimmer, making it unlikely that many will reach the highest levels of racing.

Danica Patrick expressed the belief that the mental toughness required in motorsport isn’t typically aligned with traditional feminine traits. She stated that racing is inherently aggressive and demands a mindset she doesn’t consider common among women. According to her, while driving skills can be developed, the intense mental approach needed to excel is more often found in men.

Using herself as an example, Patrick explained that when faced with on-track challenges or intimidation, her instinct was to respond with a highly aggressive, almost combative mentality, something she claims isn’t typical among women. She noted that she had discussed this with her female friends, who, she said, confirmed they didn’t naturally think that way.