It can be argued that Sky Sports is the largest broadcaster for Formula 1.
Harry Benjamin is preparing for his Sky F1 lead commentator debut in the place of David Croft at Imola for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
Ahead of the 2024 F1 season, it was announced that Croft would have a break from the demanding schedule of 24 rounds. They would not be participating in three race weekends, namely the Emilia Romagna, Austrian, and Azerbaijan GPs.
Harry Benjamin ‘excited’ over Sky F1 opportunity
Former Formula 1 driver Karun Chandhok, who has been part of Sky’s Formula 1 coverage since 2019, will be keeping Benjamin company in the commentary box at Imola for the first of those race weekends off.
When asked on the Sky F1 podcast about his anticipation for the upcoming race weekend, Benjamin expressed his excitement by stating, “Definitely! I’m really looking forward to it. It’s a challenging task, but I’m ready to step up and embrace it.”
“I feel incredibly honored to have accomplished this feat at such an iconic track like Imola, and to have shared the moment with Karun as well.”
Chandhok is eagerly anticipating the upcoming race weekend, marking his return to the F1 paddock after his last appearance in Saudi Arabia during Round 2 of the season.
He expressed his excitement about going to Imola and honestly admitted, “I realized that I haven’t been in the paddock since Jeddah because we had a few races in the London studio.”
“And lots of change, lots has been going on. Lando [Norris] has won a race. I’m really excited to do this weekend with Harry actually. I think it’s going to be fun.”
A closer look at the Formula 1 pundits
Ranking the best pundits in F1: Brundle, Rosberg and more all rated
Toto Wolff confirms Imola GP upgrades as Mercedes find ‘clear path forward’ with W15
Nevertheless, the pair are not waiting until FP1 at Imola to experience their first collaboration in commentating. Chandhok disclosed that he contacted Benjamin and organized a visit to Sky headquarters for them to familiarize themselves with the process.
Chandhok explained the situation by stating, “I messaged Harry, informing him that we had no prior experience in providing commentary for any championship.”
“You must consistently establish a rapport and comprehend the working style of the other individual.”
“Each commentator possesses their unique style, and every co-commentator contributes distinct elements. Instead of simply diving into the weekend, I messaged him, suggesting, ‘Shall we consider doing a brief rehearsal?'”
Benjamin expressed his agreement with Chandhok’s suggestion, calling it a “brilliant idea.” He further emphasized the significance of this for himself, echoing the reasons mentioned by Karun. Additionally, Benjamin highlighted the importance of familiarizing oneself with the process of collaborating with…
The behind-the-scenes of commentary might be unknown to many. There is a producer guiding you through your earpiece, providing instructions on how to interact with Ted Kravitz or anyone else if they have something important to share. It’s all about staying informed and following the necessary procedures and protocols.
Benjamin possesses extensive F1 broadcasting expertise, having led BBC Radio 5 Live’s coverage of the sport. Additionally, he has overseen Sky F1’s alternate F1 Kids broadcast.
Read next: Five big Emilia Romagna GP questions: Ferrari’s big upgrade, dark horse identified and more
