Sky Sports F1 journalist Rachel Brookes, targeted by abuse after interviewing Verstappen, was forced to disable comments on her social media channels
Rachel Brookes, long-time voice and journalist of Sky Sports F1, has announced the deactivation of comments on her social media profiles due to a wave of insults and abuse received after the Spanish Grand Prix. The journalist has spent years in the Formula 1 paddock as an interviewer and presenter, but her recent interactions with Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton have sparked a toxic atmosphere that spilled over beyond the track.
The most tense moment occurred post-race in Barcelona, when Brookes asked Verstappen whether his driving style might “dull the shine” of his talent. The Red Bull driver, coming off a penalty for his contact with George Russell, replied coldly: “Well, that’s your opinion.”
Just a week earlier, Lewis Hamilton had appeared visibly withdrawn in a post-Monaco interview. The Briton later apologised privately, explaining he had been “very low in spirits” at the time.
F1 journalist victim of abuse: disables comments, and she’s not alone
During the Canadian GP weekend, Brookes published a strong message: “I will continue to post, but comments, tags, and mentions on Instagram and X are disabled for now due to the sheer volume of disgusting abuse received after the Spanish GP. I may turn them back on later, but for now, they will remain off.”
The decision immediately resonated, especially after Lee McKenzie, veteran F1 reporter for the BBC and Channel 4, shared a similar experience.
McKenzie revealed she had undergone surgery shortly before the Spanish GP and, upon returning on-screen, was heavily attacked for her physical appearance. Her words were powerful.
“I’m a private person. But the comments about my weight and looks were awful. We’re not talking about health concerns—just gratuitous insults from both men and women. This kind of abuse can affect anyone, even someone as strong as I am.”
McKenzie stressed that many of the abusive comments came from other women too, highlighting a broader cultural problem. Despite improving health, she chose to close comments to protect herself.
1996 World Champion Damon Hill publicly defended McKenzie: “Read what Lee wrote. To those who insulted her: go get help. You have serious mental issues.”
In a world that celebrates speed and competitiveness, the words of Brookes and McKenzie shift the focus back to humanity and respect. Online abuse, especially when directed at professionals simply doing their job, remains a persistent plague even within the F1 paddock.
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