Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft will be absent at three races in 2024 - the first time he won’t be present at a grand prix d🎐uring his𝓰 time with the UK broadcaster.

As 🅘revealed by , ⭕Croft has decided to take a small step back.

Harry Benjamin - who has commentated on 🌳FIA Formula 3 and F1 juni🤡ors - will be his replacement.

Croft has been ever-present for Sky since joining their coveragಞe as l🍸ead commentator in 2012.

The 53-year-old is set to miss Imola, Austria and Azerbaijan, with Croft keen to focus on his family as he prepares for his weddꦫing later this year.

Croft told The Independent: “It’s m🌠ore about keeping fresh for the whol꧒e season. I’m not getting any younger.

“I’ve given up𒐪 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 Iꦇ’ve got a wedding to organise!

“But I also want to sit and watch ꩲa race at home. I w𓂃ant 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.”

Croft’s dec𝓀ision to miss 🗹a few races isn’t too surprising given the rest of the Sky Sports F1 team tend to rotate.

Co-commentator Martin Brundle is contracted to be at only 18 races, so he willಞ be absent for six weekend📖s in 2024.

The ever-growing F1 calendar - now at a record-breaking 24 - is only putting additional str𒐪ain on personnel as they spend even more time away from home.

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

“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 tꦺhan that on this planet. Abu Dhabi last year was exhausting. I think that’s something which could be addressed.

“But we’ll see whꦚat 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.”