ICONIC Formula One commentator Murray Walker has died aged 97.
And British former world champion Damon Hill was one of the first of thousands to pay tribute to the ‘voice of F1’.
Walker, whose broadcasting career spanned more than 50 years, worked for the UK’s biggest channels, before he retired from commentating in 2001.
He was known for his enthusiasm and was a true gent and will be fondly remembered for his humorous slip-ups, dubbed ‘Murrayisms’.
Murray’s most iconic moment came when Hill crossed the line in Japan to win the 1996 F1 championship.
He was forced to stop speaking because he was so emotional about fellow Brit Hill claiming glory.
And Hill, 60, took to Twitter to share his thoughts as the news of Walker’s death broke.
Alongside a picture of the two of them together, Hill wrote: “God’s Speed Murray and thanks for so much. The Legend will never die.”
Another of Walker’s former colleagues and ex-driver Martin Brundle also paid tribute tweeting: “Rest in Peace Murray Walker.
“Wonderful man in every respect. National treasure, communication genius, Formula One legend.”
Two-time world champ Mika Hakkinen wrote: “I’m deeply saddened by the loss of Murray Walker.”
Former F1 presenter and current BT Sport frontman Jake Humphrey tweeted: “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.”
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’ and tweeted: “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.”
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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
