Murray Walker: Formula 1 broadcasting legend dies, aged 97

Formula One commentator Murray Walker poses during practice for the European Grand Prix at Nurburgring

Legendary former Formula 1 commentator Murray Walker has died at the age of 97.

Walker was one of the sport’s most popular figures, who was appointed an OBE in 1996 for his services to broadcasting and motor racing.

He enjoyed a 52-year commentary career before retiring in 2001, with his first grand prix race for the BBC at Silverstone dating back to 1949.

He would eventually assume the position of F1 commentator permanently in 1978 with the sport’s popularity growing significantly.

A statement from Formula 1 said: “We are immensely sad to hear that Murray Walker has passed away. His passion and love of the sport inspired millions of fans around the world.

“He will forever be a part of our history, and will be dearly missed.”

Tributes have come from around the sporting world following the news of Walker’s passing, with Sky Sports’ lead F1 commentator David Croft writing on Twitter: “Rest in Peace Murray Walker, a gentleman and a legend in every sense of the word. It was an honour to know you, a delight to spend time in your company and inspiring to listen and learn from you. THE voice of Formula 1 and always will be. Thankyou xx.”

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Walker would share commentary duties with many of the sport’s greatest figures, including James Hunt, who was F1 world champion in 1976. While he also shared a close relationship with Martin Brundle, who started his commentary career alongside Walker in 1997 and described him as a “national treasure”.

He wrote: “Rest in Peace Murray Walker. Wonderful man in every respect. National treasure, communication genius, Formula One legend.”

Walker never failed to hide his enthusiasm for the sport and often described his joy at sharing the action to fans around the world, which were not always delivered with impeccable accuracy. But this only endeared Walker to the sport’s fans, with his comments quickly becoming known as ‘Murrayisms’.

“I always regarded it as my brief not just to inform but to entertain,” Walker said back in 2011. “I knew that 95 per cent of my audience weren’t interested in the diameter of the gudgeon pin.

“What they wanted was to share the excitement that I was lucky enough to be witnessing. And lucky is the word: my work has taken me round the world umpteen times to countries I would never otherwise have visited, and I have rubbed shoulders with some outstanding people. I have been incredibly, gigantically lucky.”

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