Components 1 followers will miss out on listening to the enduring “It’s lights out and away we go” on the Austria race this weekend as David Croft is ready to get replaced by Harry Benjamin.
This yr will see the Sky’s lead commentator miss his first races for less than the second time since becoming a member of the workforce in 2012, as he spends extra time along with his household forward of his upcoming marriage ceremony.
The announcement was revealed forward of the record-breaking 24-race season, which incorporates 4 double-headers and two triple-headers. Croft will miss three races this yr – the Imola GP, the Austrian GP and Azerbaijan GP.
The Stevenage-born commentator, affectionately often called ‘Crofty’, has led the Sky Sports activities commentary for the reason that broadcaster acquired the rights from the BBC in 2012. He has been a everlasting fixture on the commentary workforce for the final 12 years, not lacking a single race till this season.
Croft began as an F1 commentator in 2006, when he changed Maurice Hamilton at BBC Radio 5 Reside, after beforehand working with the sports activities workforce on the station since 1998. Throughout his stint with the BBC, he was partnered with Anthony Davidson and pitlane reporters Ted Kravitz and Natalie Pinkham, who all joined him at Sky Sports activities.
Earlier than lacking the Imola GP, Croft had missed only one grand prix in his profession when the delivery of his son James clashed with the 2007 European Grand Prix. In 2012, he joined the brand-new Sky Sports activities F1 workforce alongside Martin Brundle and celebrated his 250th grand prix within the commentary field on the 2019 Azerbaijan GP.
Press Convention Harry Benjamin, FIA Press Convention host
Photograph by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images
Who’s Harry Benjamin?
Harry Benjamin might be taking on the Sky Sports activities F1 commentary for the Austrian GP as Croft takes a step again from among the lead commentary duties this season. Benjamin led the Sky Sports activities F1 Children broadcast in 2023 alongside Nico Rosberg and Danica Patrick, with a bunch of younger presenters from Sky’s FYI broadcast, in addition to the Imola GP.
Benjamin is not any stranger to stay F1 commentary, as he at the moment splits his duties between F1 TV and BBC Radio 5 Reside. After becoming a member of the Components 1 broadcasting workforce in 2021, he has labored throughout many motorsport sequence, together with F2, F3, F1 Academy and the Porsche Supercup.
Benjamin shares his time with BBC Radio 5 Reside, the place he has led the Components 1 protection since 2022.
The presenter made his Drive to Survive debut for season six, launched earlier this yr, the place he recorded voiceovers for the on-track motion proven in the course of the docuseries.
Benjamin will share commentary duties with analyst and former Components 1 driver Martin Brundle for the Austrian GP. Forward of his debut in Imola, Benjamin informed the Sky Sports activities F1 podcast that he was “very excited”, including: “Huge footwear to fill, however I’m wanting ahead to it. What a observe to do it at as nicely, Imola, and stood alongside Karun too. I’m honoured.”
David Croft
Photograph by: JEP / Motorsport Images
When will David Croft be again on Sky Sports activities F1?
David Croft is lacking simply the Austrian GP earlier than making his return to the commentary field for the British GP following weekend. The enduring F1 race is ready to happen on 7 July at 2pm UK time, with Croft again behind the microphone to report on all of the on-track motion.
He’ll miss another race in 2024 – the Azerbaijan GP on 15 September. Benjamin will return to the Sky F1 commentary workforce for the race.
