Sky Sports’ lead F1 commentator David Croft will not call this weekend’s Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, marking a planned break in an expanded 24-race calendar.
Croft has fronted coverage since Sky acquired UK rights in 2012.
Pre-Planned Absence
At 54, the veteran announced in March he would again skip Imola, Austria, and Azerbaijan, mirroring his 2024 schedule.
“I’m not getting any younger,” he explained.
“I’ve given up and sacrificed a lot for my career.
“I want to give a bit of time back to my family and not be on the other side of the world.”
Who Is Harry Benjamin?
Benjamin, a rising voice who has anchored BBC Radio 5 Live’s F1 coverage since 2022, will slide into the booth.
Trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art before switching to motorsport media in 2019, he debuted for Sky during a 2023 F1 Kids broadcast.
Benjamin has also led commentary for feeder series F2, F3, and Porsche Super Cup, plus voice-over duties for Arsenal Football Club.
Future Commitments
Croft returns for Monaco next week but will reprise the hand-off for Spielberg in June and Baku in September.
Sky believes rotating talent helps manage fatigue as the championship’s footprint stretches deeper into autumn.
Fan Reception
While some viewers will miss Croft’s trademark calls, Sky expects Benjamin’s energetic style to resonate, especially with younger audiences familiar with his radio work.
The post Why isn’t David Croft covering the Imola GP with Sky F1? appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk .
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