Murray Walker, the iconic voice of Formula 1, has added his disapproval to the latest criticisms of his beloved sport.

Now 92, and having retired as Britain's lead commentator some 15 years ago, Walker will play a minor role in 2016 for Channel 4's new coverage of F1.

He has revealed that he was dismayed to read recently that long-time F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone had said that a ticket to a grand prix is not worth the money.

"It's very sad and unnecessary," Walker told The Guardian.

"Bernie has some agenda of his own - maybe he's trying to talk it down so he can buy the sport from CVC.

"[But] it's incumbent on people to be positive rather than negative about Formula 1, especially when you realise what a colossal audience it has."

Walker, who began calling F1 races six decades ago, defended Mercedes's current and recent dominance of the sport.

"F1 last year wasn't any more boring than it was in the early 1950s when Alfas were winning everything, or in the middle 1950s when Mercedes were winning once more," he said.

"What about 2000 to 2005, when you knew Michael Schumacher and Ferrari were going to win? Something will happen to stop Mercedes winning.

"I don't know what it is and I don't know when it will be. But they can't go on winning forever. I hope Ferrari are going to give them a run for their money this year."

The new season gets underway in just over a week's time with the Australian Grand Prix.