JUNE 27, 2000

Voice of F1 absent at French Grand Prix

THE world-renowned voice of Formula One, Murray Walker, will miss this weekend's French Grand Prix because he has dislocated his hip.

Walker, 75, who has not missed a race since 1949, discovered that he had injured his right hip last Sunday, hours after riding his late father's vintage Grand Prix motorcycle at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

"I was leaving my hotel room when I went to dust something off my shoe and felt my hip go," said the television commentator. "The doctors have put everything back in order, but I have been told to rest.

"I expect to be out of hospital on Wednesday, but I will miss this weekend's grand prix.

"I am extremely disappointed, but have to accept that I can't be there - but I will be back for the Austrian Grand Prix in a fortnight."