Brookes says farewell to Sky F1, stays in Formula 1

Rachel Brookes has confirmed that she is leaving Sky Sports F1 immediately, but said she is moving on to “exciting new ventures” and will remain involved in Formula 1. She said viewers will still see her at Silverstone, with her departure coming just days before Sky’s coverage of the Austrian Grand Prix in Spielberg.

Brookes joined Sky in 2009 and became a regular part of its Formula 1 coverage after the broadcaster won the U.K. rights in 2012. She was known for interviewing drivers before and after races and in the media pen during race weekends. Reports differ on the length of her overall Sky tenure, with one saying 14 years and another 16 years.

Brookes did not give a reason for leaving or details of her next role. Sky has been contacted for comment on the specific nature of her departure. The announcement comes after she recently said she received “horrific” and “horrendous” online abuse following her questioning of Max Verstappen about his clash with George Russell at last year’s Spanish Grand Prix.