Murray Walker
Created | Updated Jan 28, 2002
Murray Walker: Commentator Extraordinaire
Murray Walker has been commentating on Formula 1 for 50 years. He retires at the end of the 2001 season, and so now seems like a fitting time to provide an overview of his distinguished career.
Born in 1923, the young Murray began by racing motorbikes, following in the footsteps of his father, Graham Walker. He had some success, winning the gold medal in the International Six-Day Trial in 1949, but then chose to move sideways into commentating after a spell in the army. Initially he commentated on motorbike racing, working with Graham until his death in 1962. Murray progressed into car racing as the popularity of bike racing diminished.
Until 1978 Murray was a part-time commentator, building up a successful career in advertising during the week and fitting in his commentating duties at weekends. After James Hunt’s victory in 1976, the BBC decided to start broadcasting all of the Grand Prix, and asked Murray to become, as he has been since, the voice of Formula 1.
He is known for his enthusiastic, sometimes apoplectic style of commentating, often carried away with events and having to be corrected by his calmer sidekick Martin Brundle. However, his distinctive style is a major contributor to the enjoyment of watching F1 in the UK, and it is hard to imagine what it will be like when he is no longer involved.
He is passionate about motor racing, and, over-enthusiastic mistakes notwithstanding, has an awesome knowledge about the sport and its history: it is not unusual to hear him say during a race something like “And that reminds me of a similar incident in 1964” and then go on to recount the details!
Last season Murray missed a Grand Prix for the first time in his career due to a dislocated hip, and it may be that this has influenced his decision to retire. This season he will commentating on only 12 out of the 17 races, to give his successor, James Allan, a chance to settle in.
Murray has often said how much he loves Formula 1, even going so far as to say “Cut me, and I will bleed Castrol-R!” His fondness for the sport and in particular the British driver Damon Hill was evident in 1996, as Damon won the World Championship. After a spectacular race an emotional Murray was heard to say “I’ve got to stop now: I’ve got a lump in my throat.”
1996 was also the year Formula 1 moved to ITV, and there was some debate about whether they would keep Murray on. However in the event those in charge realized that F1 without Murray Walker is simply not F1 for many fans, and he retained his position.
Murray’s style of commentating is unique. His high-pitch, high-speed delivery makes even the most routine of developments seem exciting. He is known for his tendency to get his words muddled at times of excitement, and there are a multitude of websites devoted to the best examples of this. To conclude, here are some of the best:
"Well he's world champion, and we only get one of those a year."
“Only a few more laps to go and then the action will begin, unless this is the action, which it is."
"I should imagine that the conditions in the cockpit are unimaginable!"
“Nigel Mansell - the man of the race - the man of the day - the man from the Isle of Man”
Murray Walker has been commentating on Formula 1 for 50 years. He retires at the end of the 2001 season, and so now seems like a fitting time to provide an overview of his distinguished career.
Born in 1923, the young Murray began by racing motorbikes, following in the footsteps of his father, Graham Walker. He had some success, winning the gold medal in the International Six-Day Trial in 1949, but then chose to move sideways into commentating after a spell in the army. Initially he commentated on motorbike racing, working with Graham until his death in 1962. Murray progressed into car racing as the popularity of bike racing diminished.
Until 1978 Murray was a part-time commentator, building up a successful career in advertising during the week and fitting in his commentating duties at weekends. After James Hunt’s victory in 1976, the BBC decided to start broadcasting all of the Grand Prix, and asked Murray to become, as he has been since, the voice of Formula 1.
He is known for his enthusiastic, sometimes apoplectic style of commentating, often carried away with events and having to be corrected by his calmer sidekick Martin Brundle. However, his distinctive style is a major contributor to the enjoyment of watching F1 in the UK, and it is hard to imagine what it will be like when he is no longer involved.
He is passionate about motor racing, and, over-enthusiastic mistakes notwithstanding, has an awesome knowledge about the sport and its history: it is not unusual to hear him say during a race something like “And that reminds me of a similar incident in 1964” and then go on to recount the details!
Last season Murray missed a Grand Prix for the first time in his career due to a dislocated hip, and it may be that this has influenced his decision to retire. This season he will commentating on only 12 out of the 17 races, to give his successor, James Allan, a chance to settle in.
Murray has often said how much he loves Formula 1, even going so far as to say “Cut me, and I will bleed Castrol-R!” His fondness for the sport and in particular the British driver Damon Hill was evident in 1996, as Damon won the World Championship. After a spectacular race an emotional Murray was heard to say “I’ve got to stop now: I’ve got a lump in my throat.”
1996 was also the year Formula 1 moved to ITV, and there was some debate about whether they would keep Murray on. However in the event those in charge realized that F1 without Murray Walker is simply not F1 for many fans, and he retained his position.
Murray’s style of commentating is unique. His high-pitch, high-speed delivery makes even the most routine of developments seem exciting. He is known for his tendency to get his words muddled at times of excitement, and there are a multitude of websites devoted to the best examples of this. To conclude, here are some of the best:
"Well he's world champion, and we only get one of those a year."
“Only a few more laps to go and then the action will begin, unless this is the action, which it is."
"I should imagine that the conditions in the cockpit are unimaginable!"
“Nigel Mansell - the man of the race - the man of the day - the man from the Isle of Man”
