F1 News: David Croft Makes Huge Announcement Ahead Of Sky Sports Changes
Sky Sports F1's lead commentator, David Croft, will be taking a small step back from his commentary duties at three Grand Prix events in the record-breaking 24-race 2024 season.
Key Points:
- For the first time since joining Sky Sports in 2012, David Croft will not commentate on three F1 races in 2024.
- FIA Formula 3 commentator Harry Benjamin is set to fill in for Croft during his absence.
- The demanding nature of the F1 calendar and Croft's personal commitments are key factors in his decision to take a step back.
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David Croft, a name synonymous with Formula 1 broadcasting on Sky Sports, has made the significant decision to step away from the microphone for three races in the 2024 season. This announcement comes as a surprise to many, given Croft's longstanding and uninterrupted involvement in F1 coverage since his tenure began over a decade ago.
Harry Benjamin, a seasoned voice in the motorsport world with experience in Formula 3 and F1's junior series, has been chosen to step into Croft's shoes for the Imola, Austria, and Azerbaijan Grands Prix.
Croft's decision is deeply personal, driven by his desire to spend more time with his family and focus on personal milestones, including his upcoming marriage. Speaking to The Independent, Croft expressed a need to "keep fresh" throughout the season and to view the sport from the perspective of a fan, hoping to gain new insights by watching races from the sidelines. He explained:
“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!
“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.”
Croft's comments on the physical and mental demands of the schedule, particularly the challenges of quick turnarounds and long-haul travel, reflect a growing concern within the sport about the sustainability of such an intense calendar. Croft continued:
“The triple headers do take their toll, you can be pretty exhausted by the end of it.
“The one time-shift you could really do without is Vegas to Qatar. I’d like to see Vegas change its times a bit. A 12-hour shift in time-zones – you can’t do more than that on this planet. Abu Dhabi last year was exhausting. I think that’s something which could be addressed.
“But we’ll see what 24 [races] is like. It’s uncharted territory. It will be a huge effort for everybody. If we have a close season on track, the adrenaline carries you along a little bit. If the title’s wrapped up early, then it can be a bit ‘another race, another race’ so we’ll see.”