Motorsport is mourning the death off legendary F1 commentator Murray Walker, who has passed away at the age of 97.
Tributes for the broadcasting icon have been pouring in as Silverstone managing director Stuart Pringle said: “He was to so many of us fans of F1 the voice that epitomised the sport we love.”
Follow ALL of the latest updates below…
‘SO SAD’
British superstar Lewis Hamilton has added his words to the growing list of tributes to Murray Walker.
The world champ called him an icon and a great man.
‘JOYOUS MEMORIES’
BBC presenter Gabby Logan had some very touching words about Walker saying no one on earth would have anything other than ‘joyous memories’ of meeting the famous commentator.
‘UNFORGETTABLE’
Williams Racing team described Walker as ‘unforgettable’ and said his passion for F1 was ‘infectious’ as they added to the thousands of people offering tributes.
‘IT WAS AN HONOUR’
Sky lead F1 commentator David Croft also described what it was like to work alongside Walker in his own emotional tribute online.
Croft described him as a ‘gentleman’ and a ‘legend’.
‘PART OF OUR HISTORY’
Formula One posted their own tribute in line with the thousands of others that have emerged this afternoon.
And the organisation credited Walker for being ‘part of our history’.
‘LEGEND WILL NEVER DIE’
British former world champion Damon Hill was the subject of Walker’s most famous commentary moment.
And the driver turned pundit was one of the first to pay tribute after news of Walker’s death was announced.
‘AN ABSOLUTE GENTLEMAN’
Walker previously worked for Channel 4 and they posted some touching words online describing him as a ‘complete professional’ and a ‘total pleasure to work with’.
‘HE’S MISSED IT! FANTASTIC!’
As well as being the voice of F1, fans and colleagues alike have been quick to point to Walker’s infectious personality.
And this clip from an interview with Jeremy Clarkson shows just how popular he was away from the track.
‘I’VE GOT A LUMP IN MY THROAT’
Many F1 fans labelled Walker’s commentary of Damon Hill’s 1996 World Championship win ‘one of sport’s most iconic moments’.
Walker famously had to stop talking as Hill crossed the line because he was so emotional seeing his fellow Brit claim glory.
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But Walker’s calling was beyond the boardroom and back at the race tracks when he still spent his time at the weekend.
Working across many different series, he eventually got his shot in F1, when he gave his first commentary, fittingly it was the 1949 British GP at Silverstone.
He eventually got the gig full time at the BBC in 1978 and was lead commentator until the broadcaster lost the rights to ITV in 1997.
Walker also jumped ship and continued to commentate until the 2001 United States Grand Prix.
Walker would still do regular TV work for F1. In 2015, he presented an F1 show with Suzi Perry while in 2016 he joined Channel 4’s coverage.
WAR STORIES
In an interview with the Guardian in 2007, Walker said: “I was in a tank regiment during the war.
“When I came out I had delusions of grandeur that I would be able to show my father how a motorcycle should really be raced.
“I was all right, but I wasn’t good enough to satisfy myself because I had started in business and I was doing fairly well.
“I obviously wasn’t committed because the business won the day and the hobby didn’t because I think I knew in my heart of hearts that I wouldn’t be top man.”
Instead, Walker carved out a career in advertising and headed up the team that came up with the ‘a Mars a day helps you work rest and play’ slogan.
He also is credited with coining the ‘Opal Fruits: made to make your mouth water’ marketing tagline…
MURRAY WALKER – DEAD AT 97
By SunSport’s F1 correspondent Ben Hunt
Murray Walker the legendary F1 commentator, has passed away at the age of 97.
The Brit was THE voice of motorsport and headed up the UK’s F1 coverage from 1976 until 2001.
Walker was known for his enthusiasm and was a true gent and will be fondly remembered for his humorous slip-ups, dubbed ‘Murrayisms’.
A statement from F1 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.”
Born in 1923, Walker was surrounded by racing as his father, Graham, raced motorcycles for Rudge, Sunbeam and Norton. He spent most weekends growing up at race tracks watching his father compete before trying to race himself while juggling a career in advertising.
Murray Walker has died aged 97Credit: Rex Features
‘PASSION AND POSITIVITY’
Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes team said Murray Walker’s attitude towards F1 was unmatched.
‘THE VOICE OF FORMULA ONE’
Gary Lineker described Walker as a broadcasting great in his own touching tribute to the ‘voice of F1’.
‘NATION’S FAVOURITE’
The British Racing Drivers’ Club announced the sad news slightly more than one hour ago and described him as a ‘motorsport legend’.
‘SPARKLE AND PRIDE’
Former F1 presenter Jake Humphrey has added to the thousands of touching messages being posted online about iconic commentator Walker.
The BT Sport frontman described Walker as ‘setting the standard’.
‘KNOWLEDGEABLE BEYOND WORDS’
The home of British F1 Silverstone has also tweeted their own tribute to the legendary commentator.
Silverstone’s managing director Stuart Pringle’s message was posted on their Twitter account.
RIP MURRAY
Former driver and F1 commentator Martin Brundle was one of the first to pay tribute to Murray Walker who has died aged 97.
The 61-year-old called Walker a ‘wonderful man’ and a ‘national treasure’.
DAY TWO IS DONE – MERCEDES ARE BACK IN BUSINESS
Valtteri Bottas tops the timesheets on the softest tyre. It looks as though Mercedes’ problems are over.
Excellent work from Pierre Gasly once again as we are now two thirds through testing.
Aston Martin and McLaren will also be pleased with their second day performances.
Lando Norris’s time was set on the medium tyres while Daniel Ricciardo looked strong in the morning.
As for concerns, Ferrari don’t look particularly strong and Carlos Sainz is not yet up to speed.
Fernando Alonso was down in 10th in his return for Alpine while Haas look like they could struggle with their battle with Williams.
Bottas – 1:30.289
Gasly +0.1
Stroll +0.1
Norris +0.2
Giovinazzi +0.4
Leclerc +0.5
Latifi +1.3
Perez +1.3
Ricciardo +1.9
Alonso +2.0
Tsunoda +2.3
Schumacher +2.5
Sainz +2.7
Mazepin +2.8
Hamilton +3.1
Vettel +8.5BOTTAS NOW GOES QUICKEST
Mercedes are back on top. After a tricky two days, the Finn has now popped to the top of the timesheets.
He’s completed 53 laps and is trying to make up for lost time.
IT HAS TAKEN TWO DAYS BUT FINALLY MERCEDES SHOW THEIR PACE
Valtteri Bottas goes into the top four and has now completed 39 laps.
After a difficult start where the Finn has a gearbox issue, Mercedes now look like they are back on track.
RED FLAG – SESSION STOPPED
The engine cover from Sergio Perez’s Red Bull has come loose and broken on track.
The session has been stopped while the marshals recover some of the debris.
Red Bull will now need to find out what caused that failure while they fix the new cover in place.
RELIABILITY IS LOOKING GOOD
Aside from the gearbox failures on Bottas and Vettel’s cars, there has been a refreshing about of reliability.
Yes, much of the aero parts are carried over, but the news power units all look rather strong this year.
Remember, teams only allowed to use three engines this season without penalty.
SOLID FROM ALPHATAURI AND ALFA ROMEO
The Red Bull B team finished 2020 so strongly and this year they are boosted by a new Honda engine, which has been rushed through ahead of schedule.
They are looking quick and reliable out on track and stepping out from Red Bull’s shadow.
Alfa Romeo’s Antonio Giovinazzi is also enjoying himself. Currently fourth quickest on track and having done 93 laps.
“PROMISING SIGNS” FOR FERRARI
CHARLES LECLERC is confident Ferrari are showing “promising signs” as they look to bounce back from last season.
The Italian team endured their worst finish in forty years as they were sixth in the constructors’ championship.
But after a winter of tweaking their car design, Leclerc says they are making improvements.
He said: “The impressions were good again. Yesterday we went through all the programme in the morning, but the conditions are very very tricky.
“It’s very warm, and very windy, so it’s very difficult to make a comparison with last year for now.
“And it’s all relative to the others: how much they improved compared to us.
“But yeah, there are some promising signs, but we can’t know until the first qualifying.”
The big issue Ferrari faced last year was their under-strength engine, which Leclerc was also an improvement this season.
He added: “Everything feels quite good. But again, it’s very difficult to comment now, nobody’s pushing everything to its limit, especially in these conditions.
“So for now it’s early days. But everything feels good and, as I said, stacks up with what we expected.”
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
