Walker comes out of retirement

The 'Voice of Formula One', who retired at the end of the 2001 season after 52 years in commentary, has reached an agreement with the BBC to commentate on the new series when it kicks off next month in South Africa.

82-year old Walker said part of the reason he accepted the offer is because of the involvement of former World Champion Nigel Mansell in the Grand Prix Masters.

"I said in 2001 that I'd done my last commentary, and when I said that I meant it," he told autosport.com. "No one had made me stop, I've been doing it for 53 years and felt it was a time to quit while I was ahead of the game. But since then I've really missed it.

"You know if you do something that you really enjoy, then it's sad when you stop. I've had approaches to do other commentary, and I've had the willpower to say no. But when Scott Poulter approached me, I liked the concept - it's been a tried formula in other sports - and people are interested in people.

"We've got Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost, Rene Arnoux, Emerson Fittipaldi - and these are the people I've known since they were in diapers. The racing will be pretty spectacular.

"I'm thrilled that Nigel Mansell is involved, and although I was quite sceptical about the championship at first, after seeing the cars testing here at Silverstone I think I'm as impressed as the drivers."

Mansell, testing the GPM car at Silverstone, was delighted to see Walker back in action.

"It's brilliant news that Murray is involved," Mansell told autosport.com. "He's an icon and there are not many people in F1 that are icons and aren't drivers."