Iconic Formula One commentator, Murray Walker has passed away at the age of 97.
In a short statement, British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) said: ‘It’s with great sadness we share the news of the passing of BRDC Associate Member, Murray Walker OBE.’
BRDC went on to hail Walker as not only ‘a friend’ but ‘a true motorsport legend’ and ‘the nations favourite commentator’ who had ‘a contagious smile’ and would ‘be sadly missed’, even though ‘his mark and voice will live on in motorsport and our hearts forever.’
BRDC concluded by sending their ‘love and thoughts’ plus condolences to Walker’s family and friends.
Walker first made his break into motorsport commentating in 1948 covering the Shelsley Walsh Hillclimb before going on to cover various motorsport events from Motorcycling to BTCC plus more across the next 30 years until he went full-time covering F1 from the 1978 season which was won by Mario Andretti.
1980 saw Murray form his famous BBC commentating partnership with 1976 World Champion, James Hunt which ironically began with that season’s Canadian Grand Prix yet would be the last GP that the duo commentated on together in 1993 just two days before Hunt’s death from a heart attack aged 45.
When ITV secured F1 rights in the UK from 1997, Walker also made the move where he continued as commentator until his retirement in 2001, with his final race commentary coincidentally marking Mika Hakkinen’s final victory in F1 at 2001 US GP.
Ultimately what made Walker stand out as one of motorsport’s most iconic commentators was his detailed research ahead of every race, although his errors became known as ‘Murrayisms’, yet he produced plenty of iconic quotes with his most famous after Damon Hill became 1996 champion, saying: “I’ve got to stop now, because I’ve got a lump in my throat.”
‘Wonderful man in every respect’
Ex F1 driver turned commentator, Martin Brundle who commentated alongside Walker from 1997-2001 led tributes as he described his former colleague as a not only a ‘National treasure’ but also a ‘wonderful man in every respect.’
Rest in Peace Murray Walker. Wonderful man in every respect. National treasure, communication genius, Formula One legend.
— Martin Brundle 💙 (@MBrundleF1) March 13, 2021
Underlining how inspirational Walker was to F1 fans, the sport itself took to Twitter to pay tribute, in which they spoke of Walker’s ‘passion and love of the sport’ as inspiring for fans around the world.
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 pic.twitter.com/cMwLjjqxAj
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 13, 2021
Several other tributes from not just drivers but teams, circuits and F1 journalists too so we bring a selection of tributes from Mercedes, Sky F1’s Natalie Pinkham plus others.
We join the world of F1 in offering our condolences to the family of Murray Walker following his passing. He will always be remembered as the voice of motorsport and a wonderful entertainer. He was the inspiration which drew so many fans to the sport. May he rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/pqLUK2eSsD
— Bahrain Int. Circuit (@BAH_Int_Circuit) March 13, 2021
He was the voice of @F1 to millions and his love, passion and positivity for our sport were unmatched.
You will be truly missed, Murray Walker ❤️ pic.twitter.com/mXVDID6GdS
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) March 13, 2021
God bless you Murray Walker. True icon of the sport. May your voice echo in our dreams for many years to come
#RIPmurraywalker 🙏🏼— Natalie Pinkham (@NataliePinkham) March 13, 2021
Just weeks ago I spoke to Murray Walker on the phone. He was in a residential home, hating getting older. However, I could hear the sparkle and pride in his voice when we spoke about @LewisHamilton’s 7th title.
Murray set the standard. I’m honoured to call him a friend. RIP ❤️ pic.twitter.com/d77kgLcW9Z
— Jake Humphrey 💙 (@mrjakehumphrey) March 13, 2021
One of the legendary voices of @F1 has passed away. We are grateful to him for adding to the excitement of our battles on the track. pic.twitter.com/Qt2pHK8bmB
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) March 13, 2021
Like millions of F1 fans, all of us at McLaren are deeply saddened by the news that Murray Walker has passed away.
He brought our sport to generations by sharing his passion and knowledge with humour and humility. Our thoughts are with all who had the fortune to know him. pic.twitter.com/0NBS1KWxpE
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) March 13, 2021
We are truly saddened to hear of Murray Walker’s passing.
Murray was the voice of @F1 for so many, and provided unforgettable commentary on many of this team’s most iconic moments. His passion for the sport was infectious, and never failed to make people smile. pic.twitter.com/YjN8nfSuia
— Williams Racing (@WilliamsRacing) March 13, 2021
The voice of F1 and a true legend of our sport. His legacy will forever live on. Rest in peace, Murray. https://t.co/3fNedRQHLs
— George Russell (@GeorgeRussell63) March 13, 2021
RIP Murray, grew up to your voice and ‘Murrayisms’ on a Sunday afternoon like so many ❤️
— Jack Aitken – 한세용 (@JaitkenRacer) March 13, 2021
So sad to hear of Murray’s passing. I remember growing up hearing your voice over the races. You made the sport so much more exciting and captivating. The iconic voice of our sport and a great man, thank you for all you did, you will never be forgotten. Rest in peace🙏🏾
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) March 13, 2021
Tonight we pay tribute to the voice of F1, the legendary Murray Walker, who brought joy to so many of us.
Rest in peace, Murray. May you once again tussle for the mic with James Hunt. May your Murrayisms entertain all for ever more. pic.twitter.com/FjKyuOALV1
— Alpine F1 Team (@AlpineF1Team) March 13, 2021
So sad to hear of Murray Walker passing. A true legend of the sport. Your voice & passion no one will ever forget.
RIP 💙
— billywhizz (@BillyMonger) March 13, 2021
He will always be the voice of @F1.
It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Murray Walker. pic.twitter.com/2I6Jvql95i
— F1 Australian Grand Prix (@ausgrandprix) March 13, 2021
Rest in peace, Murray Walker. A true legend of F1. Thanks for making millions of fans love our sport. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/F5cEvuycm9
— Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN (@alfaromeoracing) March 13, 2021
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
— David Croft (@CroftyF1) March 13, 2021
Like millions of fans, Murray Walker was a huge part of my childhood.
Despite growing up in India, I used to watch the races on VHS tapes months after the race & his iconic way of commentating got me excited about F1.
RIP Murray – you made the world a better place #Legend pic.twitter.com/GfMjV89Wuf
— Karun Chandhok (@karunchandhok) March 13, 2021
Such sad, sad news. I’m so honoured to have known and worked alongside Murray. Such a gent. Such a legend. Farewell my friend 😢 https://t.co/V6ekJ9RWy7
— Louise Goodman (@LouGoodmanMedia) March 13, 2021
The passion, emotion and voice of Formula 1. Rest in peace Murray.
— Callum Ilott (@callum_ilott) March 13, 2021
I’m deeply saddened by the loss of Murray Walker.
— Mika Häkkinen (@F1MikaHakkinen) March 13, 2021
So very sad to hear of the legend Murray Walker OBE passing away .. he was the voice of F1 and so lucky to have worked alongside him in the commentary box : RIP Murray 🙏#murraywalker pic.twitter.com/BE1mrSlIUf
— Mark Blundell (@markblundellf1) March 13, 2021
Today you’re going to affectionately hear about Murray Walker’s ‘mistakes’ but it’s so important to underline his greatness, no one has ever matched this level of detail and emotion and no one ever will. The 🐐 pic.twitter.com/5JrpegQxA2
— Alex Jacques (@AlexJacquesF1) March 13, 2021
The nicest man in the world has left us.
It was a huge honour to have worked alongside Murray and learned so much from him. Motorsport owes him an enormous gratitude for sharing his knowledge and passion with the public at large and making our sport so popular.
RIP Murray— Tiff Needell (@tiff_tv) March 13, 2021
Very sad to hear of the passing of Murray Walker. Such a legend. Bizarrely the last time I saw him I had enlisted him as an impromptu judge of the @MercedesAMGF1 charity cake competition! Imagine how he lit that up, as all things he did xx @F1
— Paddy Lowe (@paddylowe) March 13, 2021
Rest in peace to the voice of @F1 Murray Walker!! #Legend ❤️
— Devlin Defrancesco (@DevlinDeFran) March 13, 2021
Like so many of you, i’m so sad to learn that Murray has passed away. His enthusiasm represented all that is great about our sport and is the reason that so many of us love Formula 1. https://t.co/kq1JhAz35c
— Zak Brown (@ZBrownCEO) March 13, 2021
The authentic voice of passion personified.
He was, quite simply, the best. pic.twitter.com/vD2CLZvSQF
— Will Buxton (@wbuxtonofficial) March 13, 2021
When we talk about legends in F1, Murray Walker is one of the few to earn the status outside of the cockpit. He was a master of his trade and will always be the voice of F1. Rest in peace, Murray. pic.twitter.com/CgeL0O8zUq
— Aston Martin Cognizant F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) March 13, 2021
Knowledgeable beyond words and with a passion that occasionally got the better of him in commentary, he brought the sport and some of its greatest moments to life in a way that ensured they remained seared in our memories for ever.
— Silverstone (@SilverstoneUK) March 13, 2021
Saying goodbye to an icon of motorsport, Murray Walker. Thank you for capturing, and keeping, the attention of many F1 fans for generations 🙏
And we’ve got to stop, because we’ve got a lump in our throat ❤️ pic.twitter.com/QqJgCUrp6W
— Scuderia AlphaTauri (@AlphaTauriF1) March 13, 2021
Finally, MotoGP, BTCC, W Series and Indycar also paid tribute to Walker with the former describing Walker’s voice as one that ‘will forever by synonymous with motorsport’.
An unrivalled passion and enthusiasm, and a voice which will forever be synonymous with motorsport
One of the greatest to ever pick up a microphone. Rest in peace Murray, you will be sorely missed ❤️ https://t.co/VLZS67xIl4
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) March 13, 2021
Such sad news to hear that Murray Walker OBE has passed away.
Murray was a true inspiration to us all, an icon and true motorsport legend.
We are eternally proud that his infectious commentary was such a big part of the BTCC.
Thank you… Rest in Peace Murray. pic.twitter.com/B5myk3Mh8U
— BTCC (@BTCC) March 13, 2021
Heartbreaking news for the motorsport community. His voice and inimitable character will never be forgotten.
RIP, Murray. ❤️ https://t.co/Ex8Zw8pXJU
— W Series (@WSeriesRacing) March 13, 2021
INDYCAR joins the millions of fans around the world mourning the loss of Murray Walker. One of the legendary voices in all of motorsports will be missed. https://t.co/54PlsaG12S
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) March 13, 2021
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