By Ian Lockwood
October 27 2005

Murray Walker has admitted that he will be returning to the commentary box. Despite retiring at the end of the 2001 season, Murray will be returning as the voice of the GP Masters Series.

Since hanging up his microphone at the end of the 2001, Murray has recieved many offers to return. He has turned them all down, sticking to his original resolve of slipping gracefully out of the limelight that he held for 53 years.

The prospect of again adding his unique voice to duels between names such as Mansell, Prost, Emerson Fittapaldi and Patrese proved to much for Murray to resist.

“When I retired in 2001, I vowed never ever to return to the commentary box and I sincerely meant it,” Murray Said. “Nobody made me retire but after 53 years I wanted to walk away with dignity while still being at the top of my game. It was a decision taken with a clear and relaxed conscious and since retiring, I have been on the receiving end of many offers including some from several new motor racing championships. I have had the willpower to say ‘no’ to every offer proposed but my steely resolve melted away when Grand Prix Masters approached me."

"The Masters concept is a tried, tested and extremely successful formula in other sports and it works because it is personality driven. This series is about people and characters, including some of the most famous names ever to grace a motor racing circuit,” added Walker. “Watching Nigel Mansell and many other heroes climb back into thoroughbred grand prix cars this morning was very moving and surreal. It reinforced just how much I have missed being away and the thought of being at Kyalami in two weeks from now sends shivers down my spine!"

"The Grand Masters series will be a huge success I’m sure and after having seen these drivers and cars in action today, the fans are going to be bowled over by the spectacle that awaits them in two weeks from now. These cars boast over 600 horse power which is way beyond what some of these drivers raced in the early 90s. The series will also travel to some fantastic circuits next year and I am thrilled to bringing the show into people’s living room’s once again."

1992 Formula One World Champion Nigel Mansell expressed his delight by saying, “This means everything to me! During his amazing 53-year reign as ‘the voice’ of Grand Prix racing, Murray achieved tremendous iconic status around the world and this from a man who has never actually raced himself! Murray’s partnership with this series is the ultimate credibility endorsement and I am sure fans around the world will be rejoicing at today’s news. It simply doesn’t get any better than this!”