Former Sky F1’s Rachel Brookes confirms exciting new venture

40

Former Sky Sports F1 reporter Rachel Brookes has mapped out her next destination following her high-profile departure from the British broadcaster earlier this summer.

Brookes, who joined Sky in 2009 and had been an integral part of their F1 coverage since 2012 when the broadcaster acquired the rights from the BBC, shocked fans in late June by stepping away from her microphone just days prior to the Austrian Grand Prix.

At the time, she teased on social media that she was looking forward to "moving on to exciting new ventures." Now, the identity of one of those ventures has finally been unveiled.

The 51-year-old is taking her decade-plus of paddock insights off the grid and into corporate boardrooms and forums, having joined the talent roster as a keynote speaker at Motorsport to Business, an agency that takes the principles that drive success in motorsport and applies them to business.

"We’re delighted to announce that Motorsport to Business is now working with former Sky Sports F1 broadcaster and author Rachel Brookes - as she joins our Motorsport Speakers roster," read the agency’s announcement on social media.

©Instagram/RachelBrookes

"Rachel has spent years at the heart of Formula 1, bringing the stories, personalities and pressures of the sport to audiences around the world.

"Drawing on that incredible experience, Rachel is also the author of F1 Racing: Drive: The Secrets to Formula One Success - exploring what it really takes to succeed at the very highest level of motorsport.

"Her experiences within Formula One give her a fascinating perspective on performance, resilience, communication, teamwork and succeeding under pressure - and, crucially, how lessons from the F1 paddock can be applied in the world of business."

Read also: Rachel Brookes shuts down Verstappen rumors after Sky F1 exit

By joining Motorsport to Business, Brookes aligns herself with a high-caliber line-up of motorsport talent. Her new agency colleagues include fellow broadcaster Jennie Gow, play-by-play commentator Harry Benjamin, and 1996 World Champion Damon Hill.

For Brookes, the new role offers a platform to bridge the gap between elite sports culture and corporate strategy, translating the fast-paced, high-stress lessons of the pit lane for global corporate audiences.

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via X and Facebook

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.