Sky Sports F1 lead commentator David Croft has been replaced by Harry Benjamin for the 2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.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