Why is David Croft not commentating at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix?

Formula One fans tuning in for today’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola will notice a different voice in the commentary box.

David Croft has been the much-loved voice of Formula One on Sky Sports since 2012 and a permanent fixture in the paddock for more than two decades now, but is not fulfilling his usual role in northern Italy this weekend.

Affectionally known as ‘Crofty’, the 54-year-old former BBC stalwart is the lead commentator on races, joined by former F1 driver, long-time broadcaster and grid-walk specialist Martin Brundle.

Together the duo have called hundreds of races together over a 13-year run, ranging from the period of Sebastian Vettel’s Red Bull dominance to that of Max Verstappen, with six titles for Lewis Hamilton and one for Nico Rosberg in the Mercedes heyday in between.

However, there will be a switch-up at the seventh grand prix of the 2025 season on Sunday as Croft temporarily hands over the microphone once more.

Croft’s absence at Imola is not unexpected at all, but rather part of a pre-agreed plan that mirrors his schedule from last season.

Remarkably, he had not missed a single race in 16 years – since the 2007 European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring – before last February confirming that he would sit out three in 2024 in an attempt to balance his workload and spend more time with his family ahead of getting married, with the ever-expanding F1 calendar having increased from 22 grands prix to 24.