Brookes' planned F1 departure
Rachel Brookes Confirms Planned Sky F1 Exit, Dismissing Rumors and Highlighting Paddock Bonds
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Key Points
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Brookes spent 14 seasons covering Formula 1 for Sky, in addition to a 17-year tenure with the broadcaster.
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Her exit was announced ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix and, according to her, was planned well in advance rather than a sudden departure behind the scenes.
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After the announcement, several drivers sent her private video messages expressing their support and telling her they would miss her.
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During the Chinese Grand Prix weekend, Brookes had a private farewell chat with Lewis Hamilton; photographers captured a moment where Hamilton gave her a massive hug and wished to see her back in the paddock.
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Brookes described the paddock as a family, emphasizing the close-knit nature and mutual support within the Formula 1 community.
Rachel Brookes has spoken out about her departure from Sky Sports F1 after 17 years, insisting the exit was planned well in advance and had nothing to do with Max Verstappen. Motorsport Week reported that Brookes pushed back firmly against rumors linking her exit to a tense on-air interview with the reigning world champion.
Brookes announced her departure ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix. She described the goodbye as a gradual, deliberate process — not a sudden break — marked by emotional farewells across the paddock, including a memorable hug from Lewis Hamilton.
Brookes Shuts Down Verstappen Exit Rumors
Speculation had swirled that Brookes left Sky because of fallout from a viral interview with Max Verstappen. She denied it outright. F1i reported that Brookes said she still has a great relationship with Verstappen and that any issue between them was resolved long ago. She called the rumors a distraction from what was really a long-planned career decision.
Brookes spent 14 seasons covering Formula 1 for Sky and made clear the timing of her exit was her own. Speaking on the Essential F1 podcast after the Hungarian Grand Prix, she stressed the longevity of her career and said the farewell was genuine, not forced.
Hamilton's Big Hug and a Private Farewell Chat
One of the most talked-about moments from Brookes's exit came during the Chinese Grand Prix weekend. Head Topics reported that Hamilton pulled Brookes aside for a private chat after learning she was leaving. Photographers caught the moment Hamilton gave her a massive hug and told her he wanted to see her back in the paddock.
Brookes said Hamilton's response was warm and supportive. She also recalled Charles Leclerc giving her a kind reception in Canada. Motorsport.com noted that Brookes described the paddock as a close-knit family, where mutual support runs deep across teams and drivers alike.
Drivers Sent Private Video Messages After the Announcement
After Brookes made her departure public, several drivers reached out in a personal way. Multiple drivers sent her private video messages saying they would miss her. Brookes did not name all of them, but the gesture showed how well-regarded she was inside the Formula 1 world after nearly two decades on the beat.
Motorsport.com reported that Brookes was able to say her goodbyes on her own terms, working through the paddock race by race rather than making one sudden exit. She said that process made the departure feel right, even if it was emotional.
A 17-Year Career Defined by Paddock Trust
Brookes joined Sky Sports as part of its original F1 team when the broadcaster launched its dedicated Formula 1 channel. Over 17 years, she built close relationships with drivers, team principals, and crew. That access — rare for any journalist — is what made her farewell so notable across the sport.
F1i noted that Brookes used her final weeks to place the focus on camaraderie and community, not controversy. Her message was clear: the paddock is a family, and she left it as one of its own.
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