Grace Hayden Announces Major Career Move to Motorsport Television
Grace Hayden, the 23-year-old sports presenter who gained prominence through her cricket coverage and substantial social media presence, has made a surprising career transition by joining a motorsport television programme. Hayden has been officially confirmed as part of Fox Sports' broadcasting team for the Shannons SpeedSeries competition, which showcases high-performance GT vehicles from manufacturers including Porsche, Ferrari, and Mercedes.
A Dramatic Departure from Established Sports Media Path
This represents a significant shift for Hayden, who has cultivated an impressive following of nearly 900,000 followers across Instagram and TikTok platforms. She first captured widespread attention through her work covering the Indian Premier League for Star Sports across the subcontinent, reaching millions of cricket enthusiasts. Additionally, she has featured prominently in broadcasts of Australia's Big Bash League, further solidifying her reputation within cricket broadcasting circles.
Hayden's broadcasting career expanded beyond cricket when she secured her breakthrough opportunity as Channel Seven's Oaks Day ambassador in 2022. This role led to further engagements with Seven's racing coverage team and eventually to a prominent position as lead presenter for Hong Kong-based digital platform Racing X. Her professional journey has involved extensive international travel, covering sporting events in diverse locations such as Saudi Arabia, New Zealand, and Las Vegas.
New Motorsport Broadcasting Team Composition
For the SpeedSeries coverage, Hayden will be working alongside Bathurst 1000 champion Nick Percat, alongside seasoned motorsport presenters Greg Rust and Chris Stubbs. Ben McMellan, CEO of SRO Motorsports Australia, commented on the new appointments, stating: "Bringing in Nick Percat and Grace Hayden will inject new life into the series with fresh ideas, and it will go a long way in assisting the Shannons SpeedSeries’ growth."
Despite being the daughter of cricket legend Matthew Hayden, Grace never originally anticipated a career in sports media. She reflected: "I never thought life would take me in this direction. I was always super sporty. I tried every sport growing up, and I've always loved being in front of the camera." Her famous father, who played for Chennai Super Kings, fostered her fascination with Indian culture. "He used to bring home spices and we would cook Indian food together," she recalled. "Then I started visiting myself for the IPL and embraced the fashion, the people, the energy. It's different from Australia, but it feels like home."
Personal Life and Family Background
In her personal life, Hayden is currently in a relationship with Wilson Statham, whose parents Danielle and David Statham are prominent Queensland cotton industry figures. The couple publicly confirmed their romance at the Randwick races in 2024 and were subsequently photographed holding hands at a Sydney pub one month later. Wilson's family operates the Sundown Pastoral Company, a privately owned cotton and cropping enterprise spanning more than 70,000 hectares across Queensland and northern New South Wales.
This motorsport presenting opportunity marks another milestone in Hayden's rapidly evolving broadcasting career, demonstrating her versatility across multiple sporting disciplines while maintaining her substantial digital audience engagement.
