³ÉÈËÂÛ̳

cheers murray glad to have u back.

Any plans to make an appearance in the commentary box again Murray?

Murray; once all (or even the majority) of the teams have KERS up and running, how do you see it working out? Surely a lot of the reason why it seemed so effective on Sunday was because you had cars with KERS using it against cars that didn't, exemplified by Timo Glock's complaint that he couldn't get past Fernando Alonso as the Spaniard was simply able to boost and stay ahead. Do you think it could be that, once it's being used across the grid, it'll be cancelled out as a consequence, or will the tactic employment of it create more overtaking as one driver uses it to keep ahead, then the other uses it to get ahead?

That was FAAANTASTIC Murray!!!

Great summary Murray, keep 'em coming.

That was an excellent take on the race. I just wonder if Brawn can sustain their success. With such a new team can they be consistent. Look forward to Malaysia. The ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ has done a great job so far in its coverage.

Thats a great summary Murray. I didn't see the race or know much about the results but your piece really explained what happened.

Thanks

Good to have Mr Walker back with us, hopefully ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ can sign him up as he is probably still better than Johnathan Legard, but thats my opinion.

what? can't watch an interview with Murray Walker outside the UK? oh, this is getting silly. I'm starting to think it would be best if the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ just created a page with shortcuts to the three or four things that aren't "UK customers only".

Who owns the broadcasting rights to this interview in Taiwan, then, who would be able to claim against the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ if I was to watch it? bl**dy ridiculous.

Sorry to vent on your blog, Murray. Glad to see you're still staying in touch - wish I could enjoy your views :(

Nice one Murray! Good little video summary there...

Great to see you involved again Murray, really enjoyed your review and is further evdence of how much we all miss you in the commentary box.
Completly agree with your opinion on the Kubica/Vettel incident, both drivers were at fault in different areas so how could it be an ything other than a racing incident.
Anyway look forward to seeing more of your input in the coming year, have a great Malaysian GP

Faaaaaaaaaaaaantastic Murray. Thanks for this feature!

Great review Murray, good to hear your views on the Kubica/Vettel incident, sounds like the FIA could use you in the stewards box to restore some common sense. Keep up the good work, roll on Malaysia

yep annoys me too, not living in the UK means a lot of ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ stuff is not available to me either :-(

A great summary of the events, but I still think, like a lot of people, Hamilton's pure luck is being overlooked, especially by the media.

Yes he did a good job to climb to where he did, but he jumped from 18th to 12th using KERS blatantly on his first lap over others that weren't. Then we lost 4 people from the race in the later stages, Vettel, Kubica, Raikkonen and Massa, who he was very unlikely to catch, plus the added gift of third from Trulli, he realistically only got himself up to 8th. Therefore only actually overtaking 4 people? Yes still a good job, but I don't think he deserves a huge chunk of the praise he has received for that drive.

It was nice to see your view on the Kubica/Vettel incident, and I think the stewards have gone a bit mad on that one!

I agree that Beumi is definitely one to watch, and also Vettel. Both showed huge promise!

Really looking forward to another race this weekend in a circuit with very different charactaristics!

Concur with wilo108's comments "Not available in your area". I'm in Perth Australia and denigned the pleasure of listening to your words of F1 wisdom Murray. Having lived in the UK for 10 years in the 90s and being a huge F1 fan I miss "Murray's view" You are a legend worldwide Murray - please talk the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ into "sharing you" with the world. All the best, Jeremy.

Any chance of transcripting these videos for those of us who are not deemed to be in the right 'area' Despite watching in South Wales out net traffic is routed through Holland.

It's not available in my area, in Italy. I'm English and understand the language very well. However most Italians speak English about as well as most English speak Italian, so making it available here won't damage ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ revenues or anything else. Don't tell me it's because of copyright restrictions because that would be plain daft.

15. At 3:48pm on 31 Mar 2009, Oli_R0xz wrote:
A great summary of the events, but I still think, like a lot of people, Hamilton's pure luck is being overlooked, especially by the media.

Yes he did a good job to climb to where he did, but he jumped from 18th to 12th using KERS blatantly on his first lap over others that weren't. Then we lost 4 people from the race in the later stages, Vettel, Kubica, Raikkonen and Massa, who he was very unlikely to catch, plus the added gift of third from Trulli, he realistically only got himself up to 8th. Therefore only actually overtaking 4 people? Yes still a good job, but I don't think he deserves a huge chunk of the praise he has received for that drive.



What on earth are you talking about man ?

Thanks Murray you are a STAR!

Dear Oli_R0xz, I think you may have overlooked a couple of points in your comments.

The drivers ahead of Hamilton who fell out did not do as well as Lewis. If they had, they would still have been on the track and he would have finished where you said. A famous lifeboatman in the days when the crew could claim salvage on the ship ( Jimmy Haylett), once was asked whether he 'profited from others misfortune'.
His reply 'No, we profit from their mistakes.' A comment worthy of this situation.

If you look at the record of the past two seasons Hamilton has been one of the unluckiest drivers in the championship.

Murray, I am disturbed at the level of partisanship that seems to have entered our sport. One of the things I find most attractive about F1 is that the fans are knowledegable and capable of supporting many drivers and teams. Can we not respect skill and engineering, bravery and level headedness of all the drivers and teams without this senseless attempt to degrade the achievements of the men who put their necks on the line to entertain and excite us.

F1 is not football (thank the stars) Oli_R0xz would do well to remember that I feel.

Sorry Oli_R0xz

Reading it back, I didn't mean to imply that the 'partisanship' was directly related to your post. I just wish we could all get together and support our sport in the fashion it deserves. Rivalries are for the track and should be shelved in the paddock as all the gentlemen of the sport have shown.

I also live outside the UK and frequently find that ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ items are 'not available in my area'. Can someone from ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ explain why this is so? It's incredibly frustrating and I can't understand why a 'world service' such as the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ does not allow all its programmes etc to be viewed/listened to worldwide

murray please do us all a favour and get back in the commentary box - you're the one commentator that makes watching sports more entertaining than it already is. if not this season please sort something out for next season.

I suppose there is no-way they could increase the number of laps if the Safety Car comes out...at least Jenson didn't lose his lead because of the 2 incidents and enforced SC!.

It was a very good and competitive racing...the sort F1 needs and I hope this appeal stuff doesn't ruin the result.

I am sure even Hamilton would not want to win in such a way by default!

Hi Murray,

Great to have you on board with the beeb again.

Fully appreciate that selections needed to have TV coverage to show and that the following were before your commentating time, but knowing what a fan you are of the early days of F1 I'd definitely throw these two into the mix:

'57 German GP at the 'Ring - Fangio's finest ever win and arguably the greatest win in history?
'58 Moroccan GP in Casablanca - Moss storming his way to victory with Hawthorn battling his way to 2nd to pinch the title by a single point.

Would love to know your thoughts on these two. In terms of something more recent what about Senna's stunning drive at Donnington in '93?

Welcome back Murray Walker.

I wish everyone used the word "pontificate"

Since I live outside the UK I'm very much looking forward to the latest video, pity we can't see a lot of the content that's put up here. Murray is an F1 legend and I can't wait to hear his voice again! Come on the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳! You're doing a bang-up job of bringing the sport back to life . . .

jammie26, and gregss100x,

Just to clear up a thing or too, I support Hamilton, he is a good racer. What offends me is the blindness of British media (and yes I am British). Worshipping someone who caught a bit of good luck and managed to come to a great place. No of course I don't resent him for that, and he of course did brilliantly as always to finish the race with a handful of a car, but I think the people that claim that was one of the greatest races of his life could just claim that that was one of the luckiest of his life!

Of course the fact that the others crashed out says that obviously Hamilton did do the better job. But again the fact that the media believe Hamilton to have shown some sort of miracle drive shows that they are giving him more credit than is due. That is what I was trying to say.

The partisanship I greatly agree with - the media used to only be vaguely interested in F1 until Hamilton came along, this totally changed the face of the sport and brought in a lot of blind followers. I used to sell TVs part-time and everytime I worked when a race was on you would get people simply vaguely asking how Hamilton was doing. If you tried to begin any sort of detailed conversation about it they wouldn't have a clue, or a care, especially relating to strategies etc. It was just all about track position.


One thing that has occured to me is that - what if Brawn GP have their points stripped for their legal/illegal diffuser? This would promote Hamilton to first. And although that is totally legitimate - the media I'm sure are going to go absolutely mental saying it shows he was the fastest legal driving car or something. What scares me most about this sport now is the days of just racing, and has become far too political.

³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ mentioned that Williams was protesting Ferrari and Red Bull, but since withdrew their complaint - it is far too uppity for my liking!

Sorry to cause any dispute! Trust me, although I'm a Raikkonen fan, I was delighted with another British Champion, and especially one developing such skill at such a young age. The totally idolism of him by the media though leads me to resent him from time to time. And I hate be pushed to that position. I just expected someone of Murray's calibre - and long running history of the sport - to mention how Lewis' fantastic position was a result of some convenient misfortunes and air of luck.

Oli_ROxz

After listening to the commentaries of practice, qualifying, and the race, it was nice to have Murray's review in more measured tones. A rather good review of the race there, though I don't recall much mention of the Toyota's or Renault - Trulli probably deserved a mention!

5 minutes well spent there. Welcome back Murray!

Excellent race, which proved the rule changes achieved what they wanted, more overtaking and better all round racing. But it also showed the error of the suggested, and thankfully not imposed winner takes it all system. Would Hamilton have been carving through the field from the back? Would there have been all the other overtaking manouevres going on for 8th 7th, and the other lower places? I suggest not. Hope they will see sense and abandon this stupid gold medal idea once and for all. Ferrari will be back, McLaren will improve, Kubica and Vettel look real challengers. Could be a great season...

Really great to hear you again after all these years, Murray! Glad the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ got you on board in some form, you're a legend.

Can't wait to hear more!

Glad us outside the UK will get to hear Murray’s review, Enjoyed his commentary since he worked alongside James Hunt many years ago. We still receive the UK version in Canada, so it’s still like watching back home.

Oooo, and to add to my evidence - Pomwombat just reminded me of something.

Trulli came from further back than Hamilton, 19th. To finish 3rd/4th depending on whos side you take.

Does he get any coverage?

Murray, you are an absolute legend!

It's great to see and hear you again, talking all things F1.

Looking forward to the next blog already.

Woweeeee!!!

Y'know? my 75 year old dad used to listen to Murray commentating on the Isle of Man TT on the "wireless" at work when he was an apprentice carpenter. Now I am listening to Murray and watching him pass comment on the racing more than 50 years later..... the only difference is.... there is a wire connection to my computer... it isnt a "wireless" Top class bloke that Murray Walker! you are personally responsible for my entire familly being dyed in the wool petrol heads and proud of it!

Welcome back Murray to where you belong. It's so nice to enjoy a race without the ads again. Do you think that the failure of the wealthier teams on Sunday will be a result of using a "legal" wing, when others are proven at appeal, to have been using an "illegal" one.Eventually, when or if the appeal fails, the wealthier teams magically fit wings that they had developed all the time but were expecting trouble from using them, or they say that they knew it would be proven illegal so never fitted it, get extra points and continue to dominate the races as ever. Or am I being over-cynical?

Thanks Murray! Fantastic review. I do have a question: do you think that this is just a one-race lucky break for Brawn GP, or do they have enough pace to fight for the world championship?

Hi Murray

Absolutely loving the new season so far! I have a question about something that occurred to be the other day, wondered if you might be able to answer it. At the end of the race, the cars that made the podium are weight and checked that they meet the legal regulations. So what were to happen if say, a driver crossed the chequered flag in first place, but then crashed before he could get back to the park ferme? Many thanks in advance for the answer!

Best regards
Sanj

Murray, as always enthusiastic, informitive and "accurate".Just kidding, I too feel that the incident between Vettel and Kubica was nothing more than a racing accident.Kubica closed the door and Vettel was defending his track position with no where to go so it was an accident.To penalise a driver and then have him apologise is just nonsense.This is racing not golf.

Love that bit about Kubica and Vettel: BUT THEN, ON LAP 55!

God save Murray Walker :)

Nice summary Murray - good to have you back.
Personally I think Kubica put his car at risk when trying to pass Vettel. If Vettel outbraked himself, and this was likely as he was off line, he would run wide. Kubica should have realised this and bailed out. He would probably have got past on the inside.
We'll never know if he would have caught JB, but I suspect Jenson was driving within himself and the car for most of the race and would have had a bit more pace if needed.
Cheers
FS

Thanks Murry, great that your on the team, well done JB and good effort LH, where did Alonso finish

Reminds me why I was glad Murray Walker retired. Great knowledge no doubt, but he needs someone else to be a mouthpiece for him.

Sadly, the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ is becoming less of a World service and more of a UK only service provider.

Sad for us ex-colonials who became used to the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ setting the standard for coverage in every area

It would be really nice to be able to listen to this. The alternative click doesn't work, and for the life of me, I really can't see what competition there is in Europe for this sort of webcast. What's the story ?

The bit where Murray says "UNTIL THIS ON LAP 55..." reminds me of the cadbury's advert where the girl looks to the camera and goes on an epic solo mission.

Very good to hear Murray again. Great F1 commentary to me is about passion for and knowledge of the sport - served up in a way that is both informative and highly enjoyable. Mr Walker is still, I'm afraid, peerless. I miss him! Martin Brundle is fine, but he needs something else. (I was actually a James Allen fan.) Ted Kravitz does a stellar job. DC will be good once he gets settled in. Mr Jordan, I fear, is going to serve us up a lot of biased irish wining. He's a smart man, an entrepreneur and a fine drummer - but I'm not yet sold on him being a great commentator. Mr Ledgard, er, well he needs to know a little bit more about F1. I thought Brundle was very 'gentlemanly' in allowing him his share of howlers during the OZ GP. Bring Murray back !!!

Thanks, I live in Italy and I appreciate the fact that you took the time to create a version to be watched abroad, without any copyright infringing material. However, I can only concur with those who complain that the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ is becoming a UK only service and that great news, video and audio is being denied to anyone in mainland Europe or beyond.

Good to hear from Murray...don't think anyone on radio or TV now has the same passion and love for the sport they commentate as Murray does now.

He even made the boring races seem exciting and was one of the best.

Other than not being able to actually view the content I can't tell the difference between the international version and the U.K version of ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Sport pages.

I keep getting excited about articles, follow the link, reach a dead end.

What is supposed to be the difference?

It's a shame I can't join in the banter. I hope the blogs not 'dead' by the time the beeb get the int. version up.

Great reiveiw Murry, look forward to the rest of them.

If i may, i would love to hear you Murry, in the commentaters box at silverstone.

I think it would be fitting the last Silverstone gp with the greatest commentater givng us those memroable quotes that have entertained us all over the years

All the best
Darren

Gotta love Murray Walker! And now the list of loveable Walkerisms can be extended! I enjoyed this one:

[1:06] But, on the front row, it was a very different story for Rubens Barichello. He hit the pit lane speed limiter at the beginning, he faltered, cars surged past him. Webber and Kovalainen suffered, but Rubens Barichello got away well.

:)

fantastic Murray..great to see you lookin well and talking about what you love.

keep up the good work


connors-75

Everyone who can't watch you need to use a proxy sever thats in the uk. Then you will be able to watch. If you don't know how to use a proxy, google it!

Great work Murray! A true legend!

Murray summed up the GP in 5 Minutes...took the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ hours...no Im kidding...great review Muzza.
He pointed out the best things about the race and fantastic.
He is correct about Ferrari, they used to use the gaps between races in Europe to change the car...but they cant now with Testing bans now in place and good, why should you change the car when you had months on end to do changes to it!!

When you ask a question on a ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ blog, does it ever get answered ?

Great Review Murray, hope to listen to your commentary again in the near future. Thank you very much!

I'm not sure why people who live outside the UK are complaining about not being able to watch the review - there's a simple reason to that - You aren't paying a TV license! In England we have to pay a license that also includes anything broadcasted on the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ web.

Thoroughly enjoyed that Murray, it's a pleasure to see (and hear!) you back on screen again! These video-blogs of yours will give me something else to look forward to in between races. Quality!

"Oli_R0xz: but I think the people that claim that was one of the greatest races of his life could just claim that that was one of the luckiest of his life!"

I understand your point, but I'm always reminded of Gary Player whenever someone mentions how lucky someone is: "It's funny, the more I practice, the luckier I get."

Welcome back and great review Murray, I'll look forward to the rest of your blogs this season.

Hi Murray, Good to have you back on the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ F1 team again.
Please can you seriously consider your retirement from commentating as F1 in the UK (and probably worldwide) has never been the same since you called it a day. I have listened to you since 1984 and to this day no other commentator has come close to capturing your enthusiasm & excitement. James & you were a perfect double act then with Martin you re-captured that magic. You will always be the voice of F1 for most fans worldwide.
Murray your public needs you badly please find someway to return to the commentary box as we would all love to hear you again for the entire race. No-one cares about any mistakes you might make in your twilight years as your enthusiasm far outweights this.

F1-4-Ever you have just stolen my thunder!!!

Murrary,
YOUR SPORT NEEDS YOU!!!!!!!!!!
It is fantastic that the Beeb has got F1 back, we have the right channel, the right music, the right co-commentator, but not the right commentator!
Jonathan did a better job than Mr Allen but Murrary please, hell, even if it's just for the start and finish of a race - PLEASE COME BACK!!!!
With all due respect to Mr Allen and Legard (who I thought did a reasonably good job), since you retired, the F1 commentary trousers that used to be on fire, have been smouldering away with a much needed spark not in sight...
I can here it now...
"And this IS the last ever F1 race at Silverstone. One light, two lights, three lights, four lights, five lights and the British Grand Prix is... GO GO GO!!! Button makes a FANTASTIC START FROM POLE! But Barrichello is right up alongside him as they enter copse..."
Murrary, I know for me and countless MILLIONS out there, those poteial words put a smile on our face and a shiver down the spine...
How about it mate?

Kind regards,

Max

It's nothing to do with the licence fee. I expect that everyone who has complained would be happy to pay it - we just have no-one to pay it to!

The unavailable content is due to copyright restrictions. There are some sensible reasons for this, eg I'm in France and all English football is available on the Canal+ network - naturally they would be miffed if I could see the same content for free on the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳, but it has no relevance to the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ cricket coverage - there is no distribution, by any broadcaster, of any cricket content in France, and probably never will be. I'd be happy to pay for access to TMS live - but there's no-one to pay the money to. It's very frustrating.

It's great to have the F1 back on the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳, and Murray back in the action. I'll be watching for the first time in years. Go on Murray, get back in the commentary box, we've missed you!

Great to have you back and to be able to sit through a race without missing anything followed by Rosenthal apologising for it and showing the "highlights".

Thanks very much Murray for answering my question regarding Kubica, that made my day.

I was just interested to find out your opinion of him considering that Heidfeld appears to be struggling in the sister car. I rate Heidfeld highly, so the fact that he appears to be struggling with his tyres and that he had KERS installed in his car just highlights how superb a driver Kubica really is. I hope BMW and messrs Heidfeld and Kubica can carry their points scoring form into this season.

Thanks once again Murray!!!

How much does the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ pay Murray Walker for saying nothing new? Added absolutely zero to what was already known. ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ obsession with celebrities, past and present.

Dave_Kub_5: Heidfeld hasn't impressed me all that much to date, and while KERS gives a power boost, it also adversely affects the car's handling, so I'm not sure that Kubica's performance is as special as all that.

Ditto for Hamilton. Some of the complaints about his drive are over the top - he started with the Toyotas, which look like useful cars, and finished with them as well, so his race was pretty good in a car that looks like a real dog - but he was lucky with retirements and the safety car bunching the field up for him. He did all he could have done, but he's going to struggle this season.

Good to have the quintessential voice of motor sport back in the ears of his audience. Bravo Mr Walker! To everyone who's an expat abroard, like me in France, it's always possible to watch the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳, or ITV, or Sky, or whoever. Unfortunately, like everything else, it costs. Just look up satellite providers in your area (loads in the South of France where I am... and mostly English!), and your €700 will get anything you need (including the Home Secretary's husband's tastes). Doesn't help with watching clips over the internet though. p.s. Don't ask about the username... tried everything else to register and they'd all been taken (incorporating children's names, three pet's names... including a goldfish, my favourite curry and a French term of abuse!) :-(

@ claire s, and the bbc team:

thank you :) I enjoyed Murray's wrap-up a lot.

I appreciate there are copyright issues with some stuff, but I agree with Malcolm above that there's plenty that makes no sense at all. During last year's tour of New Zealand, I couldn't listen to TMS through the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳, but I could listen world-wide for free to the TMS commentary being re-broadcast on RadioSportNZ - the only difference was that I had to put up with interruptions for crummy NZ commercial radio adverts (they're even worse than ours, btw).

For the F1 GPs, I watch on StarSports Asia, which is broadcast over the internet around the world, for free (legally, I assume). Up until fairly recently I could even get English commentary (not certain, but it might even have been syndicating the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ commentary). However, now the cty. is all in Chinese :( My Chinese is okay, but half the time the commentators don't seem to have much idea themselves of what's going on! It's fine watching footie or tennis when all the commentators ever say is "good shot!" (??), but a Grand Prix can be quite frustrating without informed commentary.

I promise you, if you ever find a way to make TMS commentary available to overseas listeners, even on a subscription basis, the tide of goodwill will sweep the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ away. I can always watch the games on the internet, but sometimes (especially during test matches) I really don't want to watch - I want to listen to TMS.

Ah well. Lament over :) Thanks again for cutting this so it can be available to us.

HI Murray
Great to have a really good insight into F1 from someone who has a knowledge, passion and a way of sharing this passion with the viewer/ listener as you always have, in your short review there was more insight and detail of the race in Australia than the whole of the coverage, how nice it would be if you and MB could share the commentary box again.
Murray if this is to be the last British GP from Silverstone would you consider doing the commentary with MB from the box for the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ I am sure that I am not the only one of your fans world wide that would think it is right and proper that you should be asked
Murray fans in Britain and world wide lets have your views, I am sure I can not be the only one that would like to have the opportunity to have the great Murray Walker the voice of Motor Racing at the British home of Motor Sport Silverstone maybe for the last time from this great venue please add your views fellow fans

Murray,
Somehow FI days are not quite the same without your dulcid tones, hope you are able to be a more "live" aspect of race day events.

I was also impressed with the improvement in all the lower teams and wonder whether it is a hangover from championship battles last year using up resorces, or is it just that with lower budgets the ability of "top" teams to run away with technology the limits on money and testing are providing a more level "playing feild" One of the more (un)noticable aspect was that Forse India now having McLaren chasis, MB engines McL gearbox but KERS not fitted, were more than competitive. Just showing what a limited budget can achieve with a little bit of help.

I anticipate the day we get a package of R Brawn,Fry,Newey,and ? driver!!

Murray,
Do you think the drive through /25 sec penalty being applied after a time when any other redress is possible within a race is fair? especially when say 25 secs takes you from 3rd place to out of the points instead of allowing the place correction on track of just 1 place? (he couldnt correct his position without breaking another rule!!)

@ ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Sport

Everytime I click the `answers posted here` link I get a screen saying `PAGE NOT FOUND - Unfortunately the page is unavailable`.

Is this the same for everyone?

Thanks

Lovin' E-Murray! Is that your office? What's your favourite book in library?

I love the bit at around 2:57 where Murray goes "Until this on Lap 55.. COLLISION".

Great stuff Murray, was great to meet you at ASI this year. Keep up the good work. :)

If you ever do commentary can you please say 'you can cut the tension with a cricket stump.'

Hi Murray

You seem to be quite negative in your thoughts of Fernando Alonso; why is that and do you think he has a realistic chance of challenging for the title this year?