Formula 1’s legendary commentator David Croft has put down the microphone for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix today.
The voice of F1 on Sky Sports is absent from the Imola Circuit – the first race weekend he has missed this season.
‘Crofty’ has been Sky’s lead commentator since the broadcaster obtained the UK television rights to F1 from the BBC in 2012.
He had been ever-present since the 2012 Australian Grand Prix, often alongside former driver and colour commentator Martin Brundle.
But during a record 24 races in 40 weeks in 2024, the 54-year-old missed three trips to Imola, Austria, and Azerbaijan.
He is now absent once again for the 2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix alongside Martin Brundle, just days after the latter received an OBE from the British Royal Family.
Why isn’t Crofty commentating?
Crofty announced in February last year that he had decided to step back from certain Grands Prix weekends to manage his workload.
The commentator got married last year and has prioritised a better balance of his schedule to spend more time with his family.
He told The Independent: “It’s more about keeping fresh for the whole season. 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!
“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.”
Who is his replacement, Harry Benjamin?
Croft was BBC Radio 5 Live’s commentator from 2006 to 2011, with the only race he missed being the 2007 European GP due to the birth of his son.
He is now handing over the microphone to 5 Live’s current commentator, Benjamin.
The latter has been a commentator for Formula 2, Formula 3 and Porsche Supercup as well as featuring in Sky Sports F1’s broadcasts.
The Brit will cast his eye over the 2025 Imola race, with Croft’s regular partner Brundle also missing after collecting an OBE on Tuesday.
Benjamin has already filled in for Croft last season, so he’ll be more than ready to do so once more.
But once this Grand Prix is over, ‘Crofty’ will be back for the rest of the European triple header in Monaco and Spain.
