Martin Brundle has led the Sky F1 send-off for Rachel Brookes after her sudden exit from the broadcaster, posting a brief but pointed tribute that underlined just how highly she’s regarded inside the paddock-facing part of the operation.
“Good luck Rach. It’s been a pleasure to work alongside you on Sky F1. Your professionalism shines through,” Brundle wrote on social media, shortly after Brookes confirmed she’d left Sky Sports following more than a decade with the channel.
In typical Brundle fashion, it was a simple line that carried weight. Sky’s coverage leans heavily on access, trust and the ability to get close without making it about the person holding the microphone — and “professionalism” is about as loaded a compliment as you’ll get from someone who’s seen every version of F1 broadcasting up close.
Brookes broke the news herself in a short statement posted earlier this week, framing the move as a step toward “exciting new ventures” rather than a full stop on her time around Formula 1.
“After many years at Sky I am moving on to exciting new ventures and looking forward to what comes next,” she wrote. “I have left the Sky F1 team but F1 still has my heart & so I’ll still be involved in it. I’ll keep you posted, in the meantime see you at Silverstone!”
That last line is the tell: Brookes is already planning to be at the British Grand Prix next weekend, suggesting this is more a change of badge than a clean break from the championship’s weekly rhythm.
Brundle’s message also drew a reply from Brookes that hinted at unfinished business rather than a farewell tour. “Thank you MB,” she wrote. “An absolute pleasure to work with you too. Hope our paths cross again.”
Sky Sports, for its part, has described the departure as part of a wider shift in how it intends to cover the sport in 2026 and beyond. In a statement, a Sky Sports spokesperson said: “Rachel has moved on from the Sky Sports F1 team to take on new challenges as we evolve our coverage. Rachel has been an asset for the team and we wish her well in her new endeavours.”
There’s been plenty of speculation in the background, because in F1 media there always is. But sources close to the situation have indicated that Brookes’ recent podcast appearance — in which she spoke candidly about online abuse she received after interviewing Max Verstappen in 2025 — played no part in the decision.
What’s been far more striking than the rumour mill is the breadth of the response from within Sky’s own ranks. David Croft, Sky F1’s lead commentator, told Brookes on Instagram: “Good luck for the future Rach, we’re gonna miss ya xxx.” Main presenter Simon Lazenby added: “We will miss you Rach xxx.” Naomi Schiff posted: “Can’t wait to see what’s next in store for you Rach.” Karun Chandhok’s note — “Will miss you on tour Raquel” — carried that particular travelling-circus familiarity that only comes from months of airports and paddocks together.
Even Kelly Piquet, Verstappen’s partner, weighed in: “You’ve been amazing Rach! And will be very missed.”
In a sport where teams and drivers are increasingly guarded, and where access can tighten the moment trust is broken, those messages matter. They point to a reporter who wasn’t just present, but embedded — someone who could move between garages, PR lines and human moments without leaving a mess behind. That’s the unglamorous craft of it, and it’s why colleagues notice when one of their own is suddenly not on the call sheet.
Brookes’ announcement has already been widely seen online, with her post racking up more than 600,000 views at the time of writing. That figure speaks to something else too: F1 coverage has become part of the product, and the people delivering it now have their own footprint — scrutinised, defended, occasionally targeted, and, in moments like this, loudly appreciated.
Whatever Brookes’ “new ventures” turn out to be, her promise to stay involved in the sport makes Silverstone an immediate next chapter rather than a reunion show. And if the reaction from Brundle and the wider Sky team is any guide, she won’t be short of doors left ajar in the paddock.
