Murray Walker, UK television’s voice of Formula 1 for generations, has died at the age of 97. 

For 23 years as a full-time F1 commentator and long into retirement, Walker was much-loved by everybody involved with the sport.

Lewis Hamilton, seven-time F1 world champion, led the tributes on Twitter, posting: "So sad to hear of Murray’s passing. I remember growing up hearing your voice over the races. You made the sport so much more exciting and captivating. The iconic voice of our sport and a great man, thank you for all you did, you will never be forgotten. Rest in peace."

Walker joined the BBC in 1949 and became associated with the broadcaster's F1 coverage in the 1970s, a decade which included James Hunt's epic season-long battle with Niki Lauda to become world drivers' champion in 1976.

The iconic voice of our sport and a great man, thank you for all you did - Seven-time F1 champion, Lewis Hamilton

He took on the role of full-time F1 commentator in 1978 and a year later the BBC won exclusive rights to broadcast motorsport's premier event in the UK. Walker’s excited screech could soon be heard live most Sunday’s, applying his wit and wisdom to each race. 

His voice was synonymous with some of the greatest and most tragic events in F1. There was the hyperdrive excitement of Nigel Mansell’s stunning victory at the 1987 British Grand Prix and the lump in the throat emotion of Damon Hill’s final lap at Suzuka, when he became F1 champion in 1996.

There was also the hushed reverence and sadness reporting on the horrific circumstances surrounding Ayrton Senna’s fatal crash at Imola in 1994. 

He wasn’t always alone in the commentary box though. Walker and retired F1 champ Hunt first became partners for live coverage of the Monaco Grand Prix in 1980. 

Despite being completely opposite characters, gentleman Murray and playboy Hunt were an entertaining double act for the next 13 years, with the BBC producers making them share a microphone so they didn’t talk over each other. 

When BBC lost the F1 rights to ITV in 1997, Walker was a must-have addition to their coverage and he was paired in the commentary box with another former British F1 driver, Martin Brundle. 

God's Speed Murray and thanks for so much. The Legend will never die - 1996 F1 champion Damon Hill

He was awarded the OBE in the 1996 Birthday Honours for his services to broadcasting and motorsport and officially retired from full-time commentary following the United States Grand Prix in 2001.

Walker continued to be a familiar face at motorsport events for many years and enjoyed numerous television appearances, including voicing himself in two episodes of the childrens’ programme, Roary the Racing Car. 

Hill, Britain's 1996 F1 champion, posted on Twitter: "God's Speed Murray and thanks for so much. The Legend will never die."

Jenson Button, who won the 2009 championship, said: "Today we say farewell to one of the greats of our sport, Murray was the voice of F1 for so many years, he put his heart and soul into commentating. The legend will always live on in our memories but today in Murray’s words “I’ve got to stop because I have a lump in my throat.”

Walker's co-commentator at ITV, Martin Brundle, is now the informed voice of Sky Sports' live F1 coverage. He added: "Rest in Peace Murray Walker. Wonderful man in every respect. National treasure, communication genius, Formula One legend."

National treasure, communication genius, Formula One legend- Martin Brundle, former co-commentator with Walker

Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft posted: "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."

The British Racing Drivers' Club released a statement which read: "It's with great sadness we share the news of the passing of BRDC associate member Murray Walker OBE.

"A friend, a true motorsport legend, the nation's favourite commentator and a contagious smile.

"We thank Murray for all he has done for our community. RIP our friend."