BBC F1 presenter Jennie Gow made her return to broadcasting by interviewing Lewis Hamilton ahead of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
Back in January, Gow revealed she had suffered a "serious stroke" that severely affected her speech and ability to write and she has been absent from the BBC's coverage of F1 this season as she made a recovery.
The 46-year-old, who has also featured on Netflix's hit F1 docuseries Drive to Survive, sat down with Hamilton before this weekend's British Grand Prix for an emotional interview. "I'm back in the paddock for the first time in six months and here at Silverstone and I'm about to do my first interview since I had my stroke," Gow said.
"It's with a seven-time world champion, it's with Lewis Hamilton. I think it's fair to say I'm a little bit nervous, a little bit emotional but wish me luck." And after Gow informed Hamilton it was her first interview back, he replied: "This is the first one? No way.
"When I heard you were coming I was so happy. I can't imagine what you've been through so to see you hear smiling and bringing your positive energy is inspiring." Reflecting on the interview and her return to the paddock, Gow added: "I think that went really well.
"Lewis was on good form, I didn't cry [and] that was the thing I was worried about, I managed to find my words as well so [it's] another big marker in my rehabilitation." Taking to social media, she continued: "Not quite the first day at work I’d imagined for 2023, but a big milestone in my recovery and what a person to share that moment with.
"Thanks to @IMG @mercedesamgf1 and @LewisHamlilton It’s all I can manage for @5livesport for now, but I’ll be @silverstonecircuit this weekend with my family. #Aphasia #StrokeRecovery #F1
Gow opened up about her recovery journey back in May in a short film broadcast on The One Show, where she revealed her husband Jamie found her collapsed in the bathroom. "I was trying to call your name and get you to speak to me and I was just getting nothing back from you. It was the worst moment of my life," Jamie said.
After being rushed to hospital, it was discovered that she had suffered a stroke and Dr Thomas Pain explained in the clip that the cause was "extremely rare". He said: "The majority of strokes are caused by a blockage in a blood vessel which supplies the brain.
"Your stroke was caused by a clot from the carotid artery, in the neck, a tear in the blood vessel due to coughing and a viral infection you had at the time. That clot flew up the vessel, causing the stroke on the left side of the brain."
