F1 2024 ultimate guide: Commentator steps aside, how to watch Bahrain GP in Australia

Formula One returns this weekend and as fans gear up for a bumper season, a beloved commentator has revealed some big news.

David Croft will miss three races this season.

Formula One is finally back.

The fastest motorsport circuit in the world returns this weekend at the Bahrain Grand Prix and fans will be hoping someone can challenge Max Verstappen this year.

Verstappen won 19 out of 22 races in the most dominant season ever last year as he claimed his third world championship in a row. It would be a surprise if he doesn’t equal Sebastian Vettel’s Red Bull record of four titles in a row in 2024.

Every practice, qualifying session and race from the 2024 FIA Formula One World Championship™ LIVE. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial Today >

There were promising signs for Ferrari in pre-season testing, while Daniel Ricciardo’s lap times were in the top five on both days of testing as he looks to impress for the newly-named Visa Cash App RB.

The 24-race calendar begins in Bahrain, with practice on Thursday night AEDT, qualifying early on Saturday morning and the Grand Prix early on Sunday morning.

You can watch every lap of the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend on Kayo Sports.

Can anyone beat Max Verstappen in 2024? (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Why are the first two races of the F1 season on a Saturday?

The first two races of the season in Bahrain (March 2) and Saudi Arabia (March 9) will be held on a Saturday local time ahead of Ramadan, which begins on March 10.

Under Saudi Arabian law, there are penalties for eating, drinking or smoking during daylight hours during Ramadan.

To avoid clashing with the Islamic holy month, F1 has shifted the schedule for the Jeddah event forward a day.

Given the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is a back-to-back, the Bahrain race has been moved forward a day to give teams time to travel between the venues.

Daniel Ricciardo wants top-five finishes. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images)

How to watch the Bahrain Grand Prix in Australia

Every practice session, qualifying session and race will be broadcast live on Kayo Sports.

Thursday, February 29

Practice 1, 22:00 AEDT

Fox Sports (Channel 506), Kayo Sports

Friday, March 1

Practice 2, 01:35 AEDT

Fox Sports (Channel 506), Kayo Sports

Practice 3, 23:15 AEDT

Fox Sports (Channel 506), Kayo Sports

Saturday, March 2

Qualifying, 03:00 AEDT

Fox Sports (Channel 506), Kayo Sports

Sunday, March 3

Race, 01:55 AEDT

Fox Sports (Channel 506), Kayo Sports

Who are the commentators for the F1 season?

David Croft has succeeded Murray Walker as the voice of Formula One, but the respected commentator will miss a race for the first time in 16 years.

Croft — Sky Sports’ lead commentator since 2012 — will skip the Emilia-Romagna, Austrian and Azerbaijan Grands Prix mid-season as he prioritises some work-life balance.

Harry Benjamin will fill in for ‘Crofty’ at those three races. Benjamin is an F1 broadcaster who as worked at BBC 5 Live and on Sky’s coverage of F1 juniors.

Benjamin wrote on social media: “Imola, Austria, Baku. See you there @skysportsf1

“Can’t wait to join and learn from this amazing team. I’ll try to play it cool but absolutely no promises xx.”

David Croft will take a step back this season. (Photo by Jack Thomas/Getty Images for Fox Sports)

Harry Benjamin will commentate three F1 races this year.

“It’s more about keeping fresh for the whole season. I’m not getting any younger,” Croft told The Independent.

“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.”

Martin Brundle will once again be the main expert commentator for Sky, along with a crew of pundits and hosts.

Former McLaren and Aston Martin strategist Bernie Collins will have an increased role, while Danica Patrick and Naomi Schiff will also feature in the coverage.

Former F1 world champion Nico Rosberg, Anthony Davidson and Karun Chandhok will provide expert analysis, while Ted Kravitz will resume his role as pit lane reporter.

Simon Lazenby, Natalie Pinkham and Rachel Brookes will continue to present Sky’s F1 coverage.

Who are the F1 drivers in 2024?

For the first time in history, there were no changes to any driver line-us in the off-season. Lewis Hamilton has signed with Ferrari for 2025, leaving Carlos Sainz among 12 drivers without a contract beyond this season.

Red Bull: Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez

Ferrari: Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz

Mercedes: Lewis Hamilton, George Russell

McLaren: Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri

Aston Martin: Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll

Alpine: Esteban Ocon, Pierre Gasly

VISA Cash App RB: Daniel Ricciardo, Yuki Tsunoda

Stake: Valtteri Bottas, Zhou Guanyu

Haas: Kevin Magnussen, Nico Hulkenberg

Williams: Alex Albon, Logan Sargeant