Sky Sports react after presenter Rachel Brookes announces departure

Brookes took many across the Formula 1 scenes by surprise when she announced on social media that she had left her role with Sky Sports with immediate effect after more than a decade with the broadcaster.

While the presenter confirmed she will remain involved in Formula 1 in a new capacity and plans to attend next week's British Grand Prix at Silverstone, she revealed the news ahead of this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix, writing:

Amid the reaction that has followed the 51-year-old's departure, a Sky Sports spokesperson addressed the news in a statement to PlanetF1, saying:

Brookes' departure from Sky Sports comes shortly after she spoke about the wave of online abuse she received following her interview with Max Verstappen at the Spanish Grand Prix.

The presenter had asked the Dutchman whether his collision with George Russell in the closing stages of the race had been intentional. Verstappen responded tersely, insisting that it "doesn't matter". Brookes then pressed further, arguing that it did matter to the fans and children watching the sport.

During the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona, Verstappen collided with Russell after becoming visibly frustrated over team radio when he was instructed to hand back a position to the Mercedes driver – a decision he was clearly unhappy with.