Rachel Brookes announces sudden Sky F1 exit ahead of Austrian Grand Prix

Rachel Brookes has announced her departure from Sky Sports F1 just days before the Austrian Grand Prix, ending a lengthy tenure that began when the broadcaster took over UK coverage rights in 2012. The exit comes shortly after she detailed the "horrendous" online abuse she suffered for pressing Max Verstappen on a controversial collision during last year's Spanish Grand Prix. Despite leaving the Sky team, Brookes confirmed she will remain involved in the sport and plans to appear at next month's British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

Why it matters:

Brookes has been a staple of British F1 broadcasting for well over a decade, making her sudden exit a significant shift in the paddock media landscape. Her revelations about the toxic backlash she received for simply asking a direct question highlight the growing concerns around online abuse targeting journalists in Formula 1.

The details:

• Brookes joined Sky's F1 coverage in 2012 and became a familiar face in the paddock, conducting regular interviews and contributing to race weekend broadcasts.
• She recently opened up on the Road to Success podcast about the abuse she faced after asking Verstappen whether his last-lap move on George Russell at last year's Spanish Grand Prix was deliberate.
• While colleagues praised her for posing the question others avoided, Brookes received horrific messages online, including comments saying she should never have children, prompting her to disable Instagram comments.
• In her farewell statement, Brookes said she is moving on to "exciting new ventures" but emphasized that "F1 still has my heart," confirming a planned appearance at Silverstone.

What's next:

Brookes' next steps remain loosely defined, though she has hinted at ongoing involvement in the sport beyond her Sky role. Her planned presence at Silverstone suggests she may freelance or join another outlet covering Formula 1. Regardless of the platform, her departure marks the end of an era for Sky's paddock coverage and raises fresh questions about protecting broadcasters from targeted harassment.