Will David Croft return in Monaco?

F1 News

David Croft returns for Monaco Grand Prix
21 May at 12:30
  • Ben Stevens

Since Sky Sports took over the rights to broadcast F1 in the UK in 2012, David Croft had a 100% attendance record, but he ended that at Imola. However Croft will return to commentate on the Monaco Grand Prix

It was announced at the start of the year that Croft would miss three races this year, Imola, Austria and Azerbaijan. With a record-breaking 24 races between March and December, the F1 schedule is becoming more and more brutal. In recent years, all Sky Sports staff members have rotated including the presenters. Croft has been one of the few staff members to travel to all Grands Prix. 

Speaking to The Independent, he said: “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.” 

Who is replacing Croft when he is absent? 

During these races, Croft will be replaced by Harry Benjamin. Benjamin has worked on F1 for BBC Radio Five Live and can be heard on Netflix's Drive to Survive. He also worked as a commentator during Sky's F1 Juniors project in 2023. Benjamin previously trained as an actor and starred in the West End. He changed careers into broadcasting and joined Formula 1 in 2021.