David Croft’s Absence from the 2025 Imola G…read more
Formula 1 fans tuning into the 2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola may notice a key voice missing from the Sky Sports F1 commentary team: David Croft, affectionately known as ‘Crofty.’ As the unmistakable voice behind some of the most memorable moments in recent F1 history, Croft’s absence is certainly noticeable. However, his absence is not due to illness or controversy, but rather a planned and communicated break from the 2025 calendar — part of a broader strategy to manage the increasing demands placed on broadcasters by the ever-expanding Formula 1 season.
At the beginning of the year, Croft took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to outline his schedule for the 2025 season. In that post, he confirmed that he would be stepping back from commentary duties for three specific races: Imola, Austria, and Baku. The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix is the first of these scheduled absences. Croft’s temporary break is part of a pre-agreed arrangement with Sky Sports to ensure a sustainable workload across the high-pressure, globe-trotting F1 calendar, which now spans over 20 races per year.
In Crofty’s absence, Harry Benjamin will take over lead commentary duties for the Imola Grand Prix weekend. Benjamin, a rising star in motorsport broadcasting, has steadily built a reputation as a capable and engaging voice, having worked with F1 TV and other motorsport series. His appointment to fill in for Croft during select races shows Sky’s intention to nurture new talent while maintaining high-quality coverage for fans. Benjamin is also expected to step into the commentary booth for the other two races Croft is missing this year: the Austrian Grand Prix and the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku.
David Croft has been an integral part of Sky Sports F1 since 2012, when the broadcaster secured exclusive UK rights to the sport. Before joining Sky, he had already made a name for himself with the BBC, and since then, his voice has become synonymous with Formula 1 for millions of fans. Often paired with former F1 driver and veteran pundit Martin Brundle, the duo has formed a legendary commentary team, blending technical insight with colorful, passionate narration. Their partnership has helped define the way modern Formula 1 is consumed and appreciated by viewers around the world.
Crofty’s commentary has covered many pivotal moments in recent F1 history. He narrated Max Verstappen’s dramatic first title win at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and Lewis Hamilton’s emotional home victory at Silverstone in 2024, among countless others. In addition to his work in live sports coverage, Croft and Brundle are also branching out into the entertainment industry. The pair are set to lend their voices to the upcoming Formula 1-themed Hollywood film starring Brad Pitt, adding another layer of authenticity to the movie’s high-octane racing scenes.
Croft’s decision to step back from a few races each season is not unprecedented. He also missed three Grands Prix in 2024 as part of a similar arrangement. With the F1 calendar becoming more grueling and complex — spanning continents and time zones — it has become necessary for broadcasters and journalists to rotate their teams to avoid burnout and maintain performance. Sky Sports has embraced this model, ensuring that the quality of coverage remains high even in the absence of some regular faces.
In summary, David Croft’s absence from the 2025 Imola Grand Prix is a result of a planned and transparent schedule adjustment, not a last-minute issue. With Harry Benjamin stepping in and the rest of the Sky Sports F1 team supporting, fans can still expect comprehensive, high-quality coverage from Imola — even without Crofty’s iconic voice echoing through the paddock.
