Sky Sports F1 presenter returns to screens at US Grand Prix after emergency surgery

Rachel Brookes will return to our screens at this weekend's after time off to recover from surgery.

The veteran broadcaster flew to last month's Azerbaijan Grand Prix but never made it onto the broadcast. after falling ill in Baku.

"So I landed here Tuesday night and felt poorly. Thought it was just nasty food poisoning but yesterday found out that I had appendicitis and needed surgery," she wrote on .

"I've had the appendectomy and all good. Just want to say a massive thanks to all my colleagues at Sky Sports F1 for stepping up, stepping in to cover and sending me so many messages. We really do have the best team!

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"And also to Sky as a company for pulling out all the stops to get me the best care and flying out my sister for support. So, basically, that's why I wasn't on the coverage this weekend... see you all in Texas."

That final part of her message indicated that she intended to recover in time to return to work at this weekend's race in Austin. And that is exactly what she has done, having returned to work last week to host an event at the F1 Arcade in London.

Again on social media, she has posted images of herself working on a feature which is set to be included in Sky's coverage of this weekend's action. One photograph, snapped by a member of the media team, shows Brookes laughing while sat on a bench with driver .

In a separate series of photos, Brookes is seen trying on different pairs of cowboy boots with Gasly. And her Instagram story shows more behind-the-scenes snaps of the shoot, including an image of the Frenchman with team-mate - both wearing their race overalls with matching Stetson hat and leather boots.

Brookes has been a key part of the Sky team for many years and, though presenting line-ups rotate on a race-by-race basis, she is one of the presenters who appears most regularly.

She hosts The F1 Show but also contributes to many different parts of Sky's coverage over the course of a weekend. She regularly interviews drivers and team principals in the media pen and occasionally fills in for others in key roles, including appearances as lead anchor in Simon Lazenby's absence and pit lane reporter when is not present.