Murray Walker: Voice of motorsport dies aged 97

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Murray Walker, the legendary and unmistakable voice of motor racing for over 50 years, has passed away at the age of 97.

The British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC), of which he was an associate member, announced the death of the hugely popular commentator and broadcaster on Saturday, 13 March.

Walker’s frontline broadcasting career spanned more than 50 years, working across all major forms of motorsport on television and radio, including Formula 1, motorcycling, touring cars, rallycross and speedway.

But it was his role as commentator on F1 for the BBC and later ITV made him a much-loved figure within the sport and a household name.

He hung up his microphone at the 2001 United States Grand Prix, but continued to be a close part of the sport over the next decade, including a one-off return to the commentary box for BBC Radio 5 live at the 2007 European Grand Prix.

In a statement via its social media channels, the BRDC said:

“It’s with great sadness we share the news of the passing of BRDC Associate Member Murray Walker OBE.

“A friend, a true motorsport legend, the nations favourite commentator and a contagious smile. Murray will be sadly missed, his mark and voice will live on in motorsport and our hearts forever.

“We thank Murray for all he has done for our community. Sending our love and thoughts to Murray’s family and friends in this difficult time.

“RIP our friend.”

Murray Walker’s trademark high-octane broadcasting style made him a hugely popular, greatly admired and much loved figure within the world of motor racing, as well as to many outside of the sport.

He commentated on his first Formula 1 grand prix for BBC Radio in 1949, but it wasn’t until 1978 that Murray became the full-time voice of the BBC’s ‘Grand Prix’ programming, thanks to the introduction of regular television coverage of the sport.

Among many highlights during the halcyon days of F1 in the 1980s, Murray famously called Ayrton Senna’s intense rivalry with Alain Prost in the 1980s and Nigel Mansell’s world championship despair in 1986 followed by his 1992 title triumph.

During this period, he was partnered in the BBC commentary box by 1976 world champion James Hunt, with their clash of personalities – Walker the consummate professional compared to Hunt’s laid-back approach – a popular feature of the BBC’s coverage.

When Damon Hill become world champion in 1996, an emotional Murray, in what was his final F1 commentary for BBC TV, said: “I have got to stop because I have got a lump in my throat,” as Hill crossed the line victorious in the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.

Formula 1 coverage moved to ITV in 1997 and so did Murray, who had been appointed an OBE the previous year for his services to broadcasting and motor racing. At ITV, Murray teamed up with Martin Brundle, who he would work alongside for five seasons before his final year on the F1 circuit 2001.

As well as F1, Murray’s voice was heard across a variety of motorsport across the UK and worldwide. Among his many credits, he commentated on touring cars, speedway, motocross, rallycross and, his first love, motorcycle racing.

Tributes poured in on social media from across motor racing and sports broadcasting with many of his friends, admirers and former colleagues sharing their memories.

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