Why David Croft's not covering Imola GP after Sky Sports F1 raid BBC for replacement

Sky Sports F1’s lead commentator will be absent from this weekend’s action in Imola. Instead, Radio 5 Live broadcaster Harry Benjamin is set to take over the reins in his place after a temporary switch to .

As the seventh race of the season gets underway in Italy this weekend, Formula 1 fans may be left surprised not to hear the instantly recognisable voice of veteran commentator Croft on their television sets.

The 54-year-old has served as Sky Sports’ lead commentator since the broadcaster secured the Formula One broadcast rights in the UK and Ireland before the start of the 2012 season. He has since formed an iconic partnership in the commentary box with former driver Martin Brundle.

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But Croft will miss the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, as well as the races in Austria and Azerbaijan this season, after taking the decision to step back slightly from his role.

He missed the same three races in 2024, having chosen to sit out of a handful of races each season since the F1 calendar expanded to a record 24 races.

Explaining his decision last year, Croft told : “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 . 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.”

He added: “The triple headers do take their toll, you can be pretty exhausted by the end of it."

His replacement, Benjamin, filled in for Croft for the three races he missed last season. Benjamin is a rising star of motorsport broadcasting, having led BBC Radio 5 Live’s F1 coverage since 2022.

Aside from his motorsports broadcasting experience, he has a background in the performing arts, initially training as an actor at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

He initially took on a role as a presenter at Autosport International in 2019. He then worked as the lead presenter in Formula 2 and 3, the Intercontinental GT Challenge, and the Porsche Super Cup.

Benjamin posted on social media at the end of his first full season covering F1 in December 2024: "First full season covering = DONE! Learnt a huge amount and to work alongside so many brilliant people on @bbc5live (@img) all year long was so much fun.

“To even have had the chance to lead the @skysportsf1 coverage was a dream come true, working alongside the talented people who I had watched on the television growing up. And to everyone behind the scenes who gave advice, feedback and even an opportunity, absolute legends."