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Formula 1 Emilia Romagna GP

Who is replacing David Croft on Sky Sports F1 at the Imola GP?

Sky Sports F1's David Croft is missing the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

David Croft, Sky TV

David Croft, Sky TV

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

Sky Sports F1 lead commentator David Croft has been replaced by Harry Benjamin for the 2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

As the Formula 1 calendar expanded to 24 races, many broadcasters decided to sit out of a handful of races in a year. During an interview with The Independent last year, Croft explained why he had made the decision to step back slightly:

“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.”

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

Benjamin, who filled in for Croft for a number of races in 2024, has led the BBC Radio 5 Live F1 broadcast since 2022. Aside from his motorsports broadcasting experience, Benjamin has a background in the performing arts, having initially trained as an actor at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

Press Conference
David Croft, Sky F1, fistbumps Harry Benjamin, FIA Press Conference host

Press Conference David Croft, Sky F1, fistbumps Harry Benjamin, FIA Press Conference host

Photo by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images

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

Following his first full season covering F1, Benjamin posted on social media in December 2024:

"First full season covering Formula 1 = 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."

 

Photos from Imola GP - Practice

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Lando Norris, McLaren

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Flavio Briatore, Executive Advisor of Alpine F1

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Lando Norris, McLaren

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

George Russell, Mercedes

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Alex Albon, Williams

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Lando Norris, McLaren

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Carlos Sainz, Williams

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

George Russell, Mercedes

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Carlos Sainz, Williams

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing, Alexander Albon, Williams

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Alexander Albon, Williams

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Lando Norris, McLaren

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Luca de Meo, CEO of the Renault Group talks with Flavio Briatore, Executive Advisor of Alpine F1

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Alex Albon, Williams

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Lando Norris, McLaren

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

Lando Norris, McLaren

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Friday

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Lydia Mee
Formula 1
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