Why isn't David Croft at Azerbaijan GP? Reason for Sky Sports F1 commentator's absence
David Croft is the voice of F1 in the UK, but he won't be in the commentary booth in Baku this weekend.
For the third time this season, Sky Sports F1 customers will not be listening to the voice of David Croft during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The iconic commentator will be replaced by Harry Benjamin, who previously took up the role during the races in Imola and Austria.
Prior to the 2024 campaign, Croft had been an ever-present figure in the commentary booth, taking part in every Grand Prix between 2012, when he initially joined the Sky Sports ranks, and the end of the 2024 season.
However, with the schedule now boosted to 24 races, the strain placed on racegoing staff in the paddock is intense, and Croft decided that 2024 was the year to start introducing some respite into his calendar. Sunday’s race will be the final of three Grands Prix that he has missed this season.
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“It’s more about keeping fresh for the whole season,” he told The Independent earlier this 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.”
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The 54-year-old’s absence this weekend follows an unforgettable experience at his wedding. The Brit tied the knot with Laura Bradley, to whom he got engaged at Christmas time last year.
Croft posted videos and photos of the wedding, which was hosted in France, to his Instagram page with the caption: “What a weekend!! What a wedding!! What a woman!! This lady rocks my world, wherever in the world we happen to be. Utterly beautiful, kind, and loving. My best friend, my soulmate, my Mrs Croft.”
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His replacement, Benjamin, has a tantalising prospect to commentate on this weekend. With Lando Norris closing in on Max Verstappen in the Drivers’ Championship standings, the pressure is on Red Bull and the three-time world champion to bounce back in Baku.
Most of the chatter heading into the weekend has been about the internal struggle at McLaren though, with Oscar Piastri agreeing to play the No.2 driver role for the remainder of the campaign to help Norris in his fight against Verstappen.
