David Croft Leads Sky F1 Tributes Following Rachel Brookes' Departure

Rachel Brookes is departing Sky F1 after more than a decade with the broadcaster, drawing tributes from colleagues including lead commentator David Croft. While her exit marks the end of an era for the network's coverage, Brookes insists she will remain involved in Formula 1 and plans to attend next month's British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

Why it matters:

Brookes has been a fixture of Sky's F1 output since the channel inherited UK television rights in 2012, making her departure a notable shift for the presenting team. The announcement comes just days after she revealed the severe online abuse she received following a tense interview with Max Verstappen at last year's Spanish Grand Prix, where she questioned whether his collision with George Russell was deliberate.

The details:

• In a social media post, Brookes confirmed she is "moving on to exciting new ventures" but stressed that "F1 still has my heart" and she will still be seen in the paddock.
• Croft was among the first to respond, writing: "Good luck for the future Rach, we're gonna miss ya," while lead presenter Simon Lazenby and pundit Karun Chandhok also shared messages of support.
• Brookes was forced to disable comments on her Instagram profile after Verstappen fans targeted her over the Spanish Grand Prix interview, which came just before her decision to leave the broadcaster.
• PlanetF1 has approached Sky for comment on the nature of Brookes' departure.

What's next:

Brookes will maintain a presence at Silverstone next month, suggesting her F1 journey continues in a new capacity. Her next media role remains unclear, though she has teased further updates for fans. Meanwhile, the incident highlights the growing pressure on paddock journalists and the toxic behavior they increasingly face from online audiences.