F1: Tributes roll in for magic Murray

Murray Walker was given a magnificent send off last night to mark the end of his 52-year commentating career.

Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone, virtually all of the current driver line-up including Michael Schumacher, David Coulthard and Jenson Button - and many team chiefs were among the couple of hundred who gathered to pay tribute to Walker.

Memorable moments from Walker’s years behind the microphone were shown, with drivers attempting impersonations of the times when they were the subject of his famous gaffes - or Murrayisms.

‘‘I am overwhelmed,’’ said Walker, who was joined by his wife Elizabeth. ‘‘I had four people come up to me and say they were sorry they could not be at the party - but I did not even know there was going to be a party.’’

The 77-year-old broadcasting legend is calling it a day after tomorrow’s United States Grand Prix, whose boss Tony George gave Walker a parting gift of one of the original bricks laid when the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was built in 1911.

‘‘Murray is not going to retire - this is a gap year,’’ said Ecclestone, referring to McLaren’s Mika Hakkinen, who is taking a break in 2002. ‘‘Murray will have a pass for life, no worries.’’

Former Formula One driver Martin Brundle, who has forged a successful career as Walker’s latest - and last - expert commentator, said: ‘‘I am going to miss him badly.

‘‘I am not looking forward to the race when he puts the microphone down. It is going to be a difficult time he has been like a second father to me.

‘‘I have been commentating for five years, which is 100% of my career - but it is just 10% of his.’’

Coulthard, who grew-up listening to Walker’s grand prix commentaries, said he had been a massive factor in the huge growth of Formula One.

‘‘Murray is as big a name as Ferrari, McLaren or Bernie Ecclestone,’’ said Coulthard. ‘‘There is no question about that. No-one will be able to follow him.

‘‘I can remember tuning into BBC2 listening to Murray’s commentary on the grand prix highlights programmes when I was a kid.

‘‘His enthusiasm of F1 added to its interest for a lot of viewers and helped in the growth of the sport. And he made even the most boring race sound exciting.’’