Fans have shown overwhelming support for Jennie Gow after the commentator and Formula 1 broadcaster revealed she recently suffered a "serious stroke."
The 45-year-old media veteran was a prominent face in the third season of Netflix's F1 series, Drive to Survive, and she's also commented on Extreme E in recent years. However, Gow's broadcasting future may be in doubt after revealing the medical emergency has severely affected her communication skills.
“Hi everyone, been quiet the last few weeks, this is because I suffered a serious stroke two weeks ago," read a message posted on Twitter. “My husband is helping me type this, as I’m finding it hard to write and my speech is most affected.
“I’m desperate to make a full recovery and return to work but it might take some time. Thank you to the medical teams at Frimley and St George’s and my family and friends who’ve got me through the last fortnight X.”
Gow first started working at the BBC in 1999, and it wasn't long before she established herself as a keen mind in the field of motorsport. Before embedding herself in the world of F1, she headed the BBC's MotoGP coverage before rising to prominence having filled in for Natalie Pinkham on Radio 5 Live.
The 2012 season was her first permanent post in the sport, and Gow last year celebrated a decade of working full-time in F1. Fellow F1 broadcaster Laura Winter replied she was "so desperately sorry" to learn of Gow's condition but assured her colleague "you WILL get through this but take all the time you need. We’ll all be here. So much love."
The official McLaren Twitter wished the engineering enthusiast "a speedy recovery," adding the entire team 'looked forward to seeing her back in the paddock.' Social accounts for Aston Martin, Silverstone and Extreme E echoed similar sentiments, with some urging Gow to 'take her time' while recovering.
Aphasia is a common condition after people suffer a stroke and affects one's ability to speak, but also to understand what others are saying. One can understand why this would be a particular blow for someone in Gow's profession, although it is possible to recover with speech and language therapy.
Gow has built up a profile as one of the most popular voices in F1 in recent years, evidenced by her starring role in Drive to Survive. Many will have looked forward to hearing her coverage during the upcoming 2023 F1 campaign, which gets underway with the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 5.
