Major broadcasting change as Sky Sports legend set to miss first F1 race in 16 YEARS

SKY SPORTS F1 will undergo a major broadcasting change this season.

It comes after the channel’s lead commentator David Croft announced he would be stepping back from three races this year to manage his workload.

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David Croft will miss an F1 race for the first time in 16 years[/caption]

The 2024 Formula One season will have a record-breaking 24 races – a calendar decision which has not pleased world champion Max Verstappen – spread over a 40-week period.

In an interview with The Independent, Croft, 53, 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.”

It will be the first time in 16 years that Crofty – as he is affectionately known by colleagues and fans – will miss an F1 race.

The last race he did miss came in 2007 at the European Grand Prix due to the birth of his son.

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Croft, who has covered more than 350 F1 races over his career and been Sky’s lead voice since they took over the broadcasting rights in 2021 – will add 21 more to his record over the course of this season.

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

“The one time-shift you could really do without is Vegas to Qatar. I’d like to see Vegas change its times a bit.

“A 12-hour shift in time-zones – you can’t do more than that on this planet. Abu Dhabi last year was exhausting. I think that’s something which could be addressed.

“But we’ll see what 24 [races] is like. It’s uncharted territory. It will be a huge effort for everybody.

“If we have a close season on track, the adrenaline carries you along a little bit. If the title’s wrapped up early, then it can be a bit ‘another race, another race’ so we’ll see.”

Sky have already lined up BBC Radio 5 Live commentator Harry Benjamin as his substitute.

Prior to working for Sky, Croft worked for 5 Live between 2006 and 2011.

F1 has started pre-season testing for the 2024 season.

But day two saw the morning session cancelled after Lewis Hamilton‘s car appeared to damage a kerb on the track.

 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year