Rachel Brookes confirmed for new role after shock Sky F1 TV exit… Read More

Rachel Brookes confirmed for new role after shock Sky F1 TV exit

Rachel Brookes has secured a new role in Formula 1 following her surprise departure from Sky Sports F1, marking a quick return to the paddock after more than a decade with the broadcaster.

Brookes confirmed her Sky Sports departure in June 2026, bringing an unexpected end to a long association with the network. She had become a familiar presence during Formula 1 weekends, working as a presenter and reporter and regularly interviewing drivers and members of the teams.

When announcing her exit, Brookes made it clear that her departure did not mean she was walking away from Formula 1 altogether. She indicated that she would be moving into new ventures while remaining involved with the sport that had played such a major role in her broadcasting career.

Her first major opportunity after leaving Sky arrived at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Brookes hosted Aston Martin’s The Lawn event, an initiative connected to the Formula 1 weekend that brings together fans and guests in a hospitality setting. The appearance provided an early indication that she intended to remain active within the F1 world.

Brookes also has an established relationship with Aston Martin. She previously hosted the team’s car launch events in 2022, 2023 and 2026, making her involvement with the team at Silverstone a natural continuation of her work in Formula 1.

Her departure from Sky came after approximately 14 years with the broadcaster. She initially became associated with Sky’s F1 coverage after the network acquired Formula 1 broadcasting rights in the UK, eventually becoming one of the recognisable faces working around the paddock.

Sky Sports described her departure as part of her decision to pursue new challenges while the broadcaster continued evolving its Formula 1 coverage. The network also praised Brookes’ contribution and wished her well in her future endeavours.

The sudden nature of the announcement surprised many fans because Brookes had continued working during the 2026 season before leaving the Sky F1 team. However, subsequent reports indicated that her departure was not connected to criticism surrounding her previous interviews or her experiences with online abuse.

Since leaving Sky, Brookes has also spoken about the reaction from people across the F1 paddock. She revealed that she was deeply affected by the support she received from drivers and teams following her decision. Her long-standing relationships within Formula 1 appear to have helped make the transition into her next chapter a positive one.

The new role therefore represents more than simply a return to the paddock. It reinforces Brookes’ statement that she still intends to remain connected to Formula 1 despite no longer being part of Sky Sports’ broadcasting team.

While her future responsibilities are expected to develop further, her appearance with Aston Martin demonstrates that her experience and reputation remain valuable within the sport. After years of reporting from the F1 paddock, Brookes now appears ready to build a new chapter of her career beyond Sky Sports while maintaining her connection with Formula 1.