David Croft will be missing from the Sky Sports F1 commentary booth at the Emilia Romana Grand Prix.
This is by Croft, the lead commentator of Sky Sports’ Formula 1 coverage since its first season in 2012, and has returned from several races this season.
SkySport announced a major change in F1 coverage last season, with Croft missing in three races in 2024.
Last season, Croft missed Imola, Austria and Azerbaijan. And the 54-year-old Brit will be skipping the same three rounds this season.
Explaining the reasons behind last year’s decision, Croft told the Independent:
“I gave up and sacrificed a lot for my career. I hope to go back to my family a bit and not be on the other side of the world.”
Like last season, Croft’s replacement for this weekend’s race at Imola is Harry Benjamin.
Who is Harry Benjamin?
Harry Benjamin
Benjamin intervened with Croft last season when he made his Sky Sports F1 broadcast debut.
Since March 2022, Benjamin has led F1 coverage for BBC Radio 5 Live and has earned Sky Sports F1 freelance.
Before his Formula 1 productions, Benjamin commented on Formula 2, Formula 3 and the Porsche Super Cup.
He also worked for Crash.Net on the MotoGP podcast.
He also works as a narration artist for Arsenal FC, appearing on Netflix drive to survive the F1 documentary series, hosting on the main stage of the 2022 British Grand Prix.
Before switching careers, Benjamin worked in the performing arts industry, trained as an actor, performed in the West End, and worked on major feature films.
Benjamin begins the race he comments on, using the trademark “It’s eyeing the light and feet to the floor.”
The rotation has become a more common part of Sky Sports’ Formula 1 coverage in the growing calendar, which is now a 24-race schedule.
Even Martin Blandle of the Joint Association skips several races throughout the season.
