In a 𝓈𝒽𝓸𝒸𝓀𝒾𝓃𝑔 turn of events, Sky Sports reporter Rachel Brookes has announced her departure from the network just days before the Austrian Grand Prix. This decision comes after she bravely shared her experience of facing severe online 𝓪𝓫𝓾𝓼𝓮 following a controversial interview with F1 star Max Verstappen.
Brookes, 51, has been a familiar face in the world of Formula One journalism for over 14 years, known for her insightful interviews with drivers before and after races. In a heartfelt message on social media, she confirmed her exit from Sky Sports but expressed her intention to stay connected to the F1 community.
“After many years at Sky, I am moving on to exciting new ventures and looking forward to what comes next,” Brookes wrote. “I have left the Sky F1 team, but F1 still has my heart, and so I’ll still be involved in it. I’ll keep you posted; in the meantime, see you at Silverstone!”
The reporter’s decision follows a recent revelation about the intense backlash she received after questioning Verstappen about a collision during the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix. During that race, Verstappen was penalized for a clash with George Russell, and Brookes had the courage to ask him on camera whether the incident was intentional.
Her inquiry sparked a wave of criticism online, with Brookes detailing the “horrific” messages she received from fans. Despite receiving support from her colleagues in the broadcasting industry, who praised her for asking a tough question that others avoided, she was subjected to vile comments, including threats and personal attacks.
Reflecting on the situation, Brookes shared her disbelief at the vitriol, stating, “I got messages telling me I should never be able to have children because I’m a bad example. The stuff I got sent was horrendous, utterly horrendous.” She noted that many of the abusive messages came from profiles of individuals who, ironically, were parents themselves.
Verstappen, who later acknowledged his error in the race, ultimately fell short of the world title by a mere two points to Lando Norris. As Brookes prepares for her next chapter, fans are left wondering how her departure will impact the world of F1 journalism and what new adventures await her.
