Episode Details

Sky Sports F1 broadcaster and author Rachel Brookes joins Away We Go Podcast for a wide-ranging chat that moves from the chaos (and thrill) of live TV to what it really takes to build a career in elite sports broadcasting. Rachel shares unforgettable paddock moments (including an early run-in with Bernie Ecclestone), how Drive to Survive and Liberty Media changed Formula 1’s reach, and why she wrote F1 Racing Drive for new and long-time fans alike.

We also talk travel: jet lag, race-weekend reality versus the glamorous perception, and the routines that keep Rachel going through a relentless calendar.

Key topics

• Rachel’s early broadcasting career (TalkSport, cricket, and making the leap to Sky)
• Her first Formula 1 paddock day — and the Bernie Ecclestone moment she thought might end it
• How to interview drivers under pressure (and why empathy matters trackside)
• What Liberty Media and Drive to Survive changed for F1 (and what access has been lost)
• Why Rachel wrote F1 Racing Drive — and the surprising research she uncovered while writing it
• Travel realities: jet lag, sleep debt, food on planes, and the hotel–track hamster wheel
• The “Final Three” rapid-fire questions (including favourite race destinations)

Moments you’ll hear

• Why chaos can be the best part of live broadcasting
• The 11-minute live segment in India with champagne poured down Rachel’s back
• The story behind Michael Schumacher’s “mind games” (via Nico Rosberg)
• What makes Max Verstappen’s technique so hard to replicate
• The Presidential Protocol she learnt only after it was too late

Links

Pre-order F1 Racing Drive by Rachel Brookes on Amazon: https://amzn.to/48WkeUx

Follow Rachel Brookes

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelbrookes

X: https://x.com/RachelBrookesTV

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rachelbrookestv

Connect with Away We Go Podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awaywegopodcast/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AwayWeGoPodcast

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@awaywego.podcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/away-we-go-podcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awaywegopodcast/

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@awaywegopodcast

Substack: https://substack.com/@awaywegopodcast

Website: https://awaywegopodcast.com

Email: hello@awaywegopodcast.com

Disclosure: This page contains an affiliate link to Amazon. I may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase, at no extra cost to you.

Keywords

Formula