Murray takes the chequered flag

13 April 2012

Murray Walker, the voice of Formula One, today announced he will retire from commentating at the end of the 2001 season.

Walker, 77, who has commentated on the sport for the last 51 years, said he took the decision while he was still at the top of his profession.

At a press conference today an emotional Walker said he woke up one morning and felt it was time to stop. He said: "I don't actually want to stop but I've always said I will do so while I'm still ahead with the viewers, rather than wait until there's a general belief that I'm passed it.

"I have a purely gut feeling that now is the time to wind down. I've talked it through with ITV and I've decided that now is the time to call it a day."

He added: "I am very lucky to be at the centre of Formula One. I have had a fantastic time and have felt honoured and privileged to be part of it. My love for the sport and my privileged place in it is undiminished."

The commentator said he had not been pushed by ITV bosses and said it had nothing to do with his health. The commentator missed only one assignment at a Grand Prix for 51 years when he dislocated his hip a week before the French Grand Prix last year.

During next year's season Walker will still provide the commentary during Grands Prix for the majority of the 17 races. His schedule will include the British Grand Prix at Silverstone and races at Monaco, Italy and San Marino.

"I'm already immensely looking forward to the start of the new season," he added. "It will obviously be gigantically emotional and important to me. It will give me the opportunity to thank all the people within the Formula One world who have supported me all these years."

Walker's enthusiasm and unique style has made him a household name. He began broadcasting part-time on motor-sport in 1949 with his motorcycle champion father Graham Walker for the BBC and continued after his father's death in 1962.

He joined ITV in 1997 when the company won the rights to Formula One. He joined forces with former driver Martin Brundle.

Paying tribute, Brundle said: "Murray has had a spectacular career and is a superb professional and a superb broadcaster. It is typical of the man to handle the situation in the way that he has. It is a privilege to work with him and my respect and admiration for him I am sure will continue to grow in 2001."

Joining the tribute, British former Formula One world champion Nigel Mansell today said: "Murray, a wonderful man and friend, has been synonymous with motor racing and his retirement will be a great loss to the sport. I sincerely hope he has a fabulous last year."

ITV's controller of sport Brian Barwick said Walker's contribution to the sport has been "monumental" before announcing that James Allen is the first-choice replacement.

Walker said there were many favourite moments during his career but highlighted the win of James Hunt at Mount Fuji, Japan, in 1976, Nigel Mansell's world championship winning race in Hungary in 1992 and added one of the best races he had ever seen was Mansell's battle with Ayrton Senna in Monaco in the same year.

He said he was looking forward to writing a book in his retirement, spending more time with his wife and travelling abroad.

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