Formula One fans tuning in for today’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola will notice a different voice in the commentary box.
David Croft has been the much-loved voice of Formula One on Sky Sports since 2012 and a permanent fixture in the paddock for more than two decades now, but is not fulfilling his usual role in northern Italy this weekend.
Affectionally known as ‘Crofty’, the 54-year-old former BBC stalwart is the lead commentator on races, joined by former F1 driver, long-time broadcaster and grid-walk specialist Martin Brundle.
Together the duo have called hundreds of races together over a 13-year run, ranging from the period of Sebastian Vettel’s Red Bull dominance to that of Max Verstappen, with six titles for Lewis Hamilton and one for Nico Rosberg in the Mercedes heyday in between.
However, there will be a switch-up at the seventh grand prix of the 2025 season on Sunday as Croft temporarily hands over the microphone once more.
Why is David Croft not commentating at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix?
Croft’s absence at Imola is not unexpected at all, but rather part of a pre-agreed plan that mirrors his schedule from last season.
Remarkably, he had not missed a single race in 16 years - since the 2007 European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring - before last February confirming that he would sit out three in 2024 in an attempt to balance his workload and spend more time with his family ahead of getting married, with the ever-expanding F1 calendar having increased from 22 grands prix to 24.
"It’s more about keeping fresh for the whole season,” he said in an interview with The Independent. “I’m not getting any younger.
"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.
"I’m getting married this year as well, so I’ve got a wedding to organise! But I also want to sit and watch a race at home. I want to enjoy it.
"Maybe I can learn something by not commentating on a race. I can spot a few things when I’m watching – I want to see what the viewer sees."
It was expected that Croft would be following the same pattern this season, with his first race missed coming at Imola, as it did in 2024, when he was also absent in both Azerbaijan and Austria.
Who is replacing David Croft at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix?
As was the case last season, Harry Benjamin is stepping into Croft’s shoes this weekend and has already covered the three practice sessions and an eventful qualifying featuring heavy early crashes for both Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda and Alpine’s Franco Colapinto as Oscar Piastri claimed pole position for McLaren.
“Excited to be back with the @SkySportsF1 team this weekend!” Benjamin wrote on social media.
Excited to be back with the @SkySportsF1 team this weekend! #F1 pic.twitter.com/n1mID2IiL7
— Harry Benjamin (@imharrybenjamin) May 16, 2025
Benjamin has a wealth of experience of his own in the world of F1 and usually commentates on races for BBC Radio 5 Live.
