F1 icon reveals cancer diagnosis as leaves fans in disbelief

Formula 1 fans—especially McLaren supporters—will remember Gordon Murray with great affection. The British designer is renowned for having created some of the most iconic cars in the sport’s history, including the legendary McLaren MP4/4, developed alongside Steve Nichols. On top of that, he also designed the iconic McLaren F1 road car.

This time, however, fans were met with sad news, as Murray revealed that he is battling esophageal cancer, which was discovered following an endoscopy.

''For 15 years, I’ve been going for an endoscopy every year and a biopsy," Murray told the Telegraph Sport.

Murray also underwent major keyhole surgery last July using the Vinci XI surgical robot, as explained by Professor Shaun Preston: “The Da Vinci robots allow keyhole surgery to be performed with a magnified, immersive, 3D image that is better than the naked eye. It is like operating from within the abdomen and/or chest.”

The professor better explained the whole process: “The surgeon sits on the other side of the room with a PlayStation, basically, and you are lying there and everything is done with robots. It’s a bit like us prototyping a racing car. That’s the fun bit for me: when you think of an idea and then you have to develop it before you actually go racing."

Murray is now approaching 80 years old, with 2025 marking 60 years since the debut of his historic car designs — including 17 of his cars set to take part in the Goodwood Festival from July 10 to 13.