Why isn’t David Croft commentating at the F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend?

FORMULA 1 is back this weekend with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix - but legend David Croft won't be in the commentary booth.

Known as the voice of F1 on Sky Sports, Croft has been a mainstay of the channel's commentary for over a decade.

But this weekend, he will be missing from the Baku City Circuit.

Why isn't David Croft commentating?

Back in February, Croft announced that he would be reducing his workload this season by missing three races.

The Sky Sports icon has missed the Imola Grand Prix and the Austrian Gran Prix this season and will now be absent for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after he got married earlier this month.

Croft will be on his honeymoon when F1 returns to the Baku City Circuit this weekend.

Earlier this year, the commentator spoke 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.”

In Croft's absence, Harry Benjamin, who works for BBC Radio 5 Live on their F1 coverage, has stepped in to commentate.

Benjamin has also done commentary work on Formula 2 and Formula 3 races.