An End to a 17-Year Tenure
Long-time Sky Sports F1 presenter Rachel Brookes has confirmed her immediate departure from the broadcaster. The announcement, made via social media on June 24, 2026, marks the end of a 17-year career with the network just days before the Austrian Grand Prix.
Brookes, 51, stated she is moving on to “exciting new ventures” while confirming that she intends to remain involved in Formula 1 in a professional capacity. A spokesperson for Sky Sports confirmed the departure, noting that the move is part of an evolution in their coverage and wishing Brookes well in her future endeavors.
Colleagues Pay Tribute
The announcement triggered an outpouring of support from the Sky Sports F1 team. F1 broadcasting veteran Martin Brundle led the tributes, writing on social media: “Good luck Rach. It’s been a pleasure to work alongside you on SkyF1. Your professionalism shines through.”
Lead commentator David Croft also shared his well wishes, stating, “Good luck for the future Rach, we’re gonna miss ya.” Other prominent members of the broadcast team, including Simon Lazenby, Karun Chandhok, and Harry Benjamin, expressed their appreciation for her contribution to the paddock coverage.
Brookes on Industry Challenges
Brookes’ departure follows a period of reflection on the difficulties faced by sports journalists in the digital age. In a recent appearance on the Road to Success podcast, she discussed the “horrific” online abuse she received following an interview with Max Verstappen last year. She noted that while peers in broadcasting praised her professional approach, the vitriol from social media users was severe, leading her to eventually disable comments on her platforms.