David Croft celebrates his laugh out loud moments of F1 at Autosport Awards

David Croft used this year's Autosport Awards to celebrate and reflect on the moments that still make him laugh out loud. 

Croft, affectionately known as "Crofty" by friends and fans, has more than a decade of grand prix experience as a commentator. Through the microphones of Sky Sports and the BBC, he's commentated on many of the championship's greatest and most defining moments. 

But as he stood on the red carpet of the 2026 Autosport Awards, he noted his "craziest" live broadcast moments as he grinned from ear to ear. 

"Craziest thing I've seen on a live broadcast... well, there was that time in Korea we had a truck on the track. The time in India where we had a dog on the track. That was all pretty crazy. Max Verstappen going from almost last to getting on the podium..."

The 2024 Sao Paulo Grand Prix was a career-high for the decorated Red Bull driver. Starting 17th on the grid in heavy rain, the Dutchman carved through the pack to finish first. It was not only a great moment for the four-time champion, but a highlight of the 2024 season itself that saw Verstappen fight against McLaren's Lando Norris.

"Pretty crazy. In a positive way on that one," he said before adding: "And Lewis Hamilton winning on three wheels at Silverstone [in 2020]. Yeah. There's four for you."

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, overtakes Esteban Ocon, Alpine A524

Photo by: Lubomir Asenov / Motorsport Images

The conversation then moved to moments that still made him laugh out loud, with the F1 stalwart thinking back over his years of experience.

"What moment still - other than Karun Chandhok crashing in Australia after three corners as a Friday driver... I don't mean that. I'm sorry, Karun.

"It still makes me laugh, though, to be fair.” He continued: "Murray Walker's commentary as two drivers at Hockenheim indulge in a bit of fisticuffs. 'Take that and that!'" he laughed, referring to one of the legendary commentator's most-watched moments from 1982's German Grand Prix. 

Then-race leader Nelson Piquet collided with backmarker Eliseo Salazar while lapping him at the Ostkurve chicane. Piquet's Brabham came to a stop and the driver shot out of the car to physically confront his rival. 

Walker, always up for a bit of fun, started narrating the fight, describing it as "fisticuffs" - something that would become folklore of the championship. 

Croft continued: "Me commentating over a repeat, a replay. Yeah, in Monaco with Martin Brundle. Still see his face now - ‘What are you doing? What are you doing, Crofty?’ To be honest, lots of things might make me chuckle.”

Croft will return to Sky Sports F1 when the 2026 season begins on 8 March in Australia.