Gordon Murray Diagnosed with Oesophageal Cancer
In a significant health revelation, celebrated car designer Gordon Murray has announced that he was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer at the beginning of 2024. Following the diagnosis, he successfully underwent keyhole surgery in July 2024, utilizing cutting-edge robotic technology.
“I’ve been going for an endoscopy every year and a biopsy for 15 years," Murray told Telegraph Sport. "We caught it with one of those. The problem is that oesophageal cancer often has no symptoms until it’s too late, which is why the survival rate is very low.” Murray, 79, had been receiving regular checks due to a long history of acid reflux.
The surgery was performed with the Da Vinci XI surgical robot under the expertise of Professor Shaun Preston, who highlighted the advantages of robotic surgery, stating, “The Da Vinci robots allow keyhole surgery to be performed with a magnified, immersive, 3D image that is better than the naked eye.”
Murray shared insights on the experience, likening the robotic operation to "operating from within the abdomen and/or chest,” and remarked on the thrilling parallels between surgical procedures and his work in car design: “It’s a bit like us prototyping a racing car.”
Looking ahead, 2025 will mark 60 years of Murray’s groundbreaking designs. The Goodwood Festival of Speed, scheduled for July 10-13, will feature 17 of his cars, including the iconic 1978 Brabham BT46B ‘Fan Car’ and the 1988 McLaren MP4/4. Murray expressed excitement about the milestone: “I can barely believe it’s been 60 years. I can’t wait to reminisce with the thousands of fans at Goodwood.”
Murray’s contributions have significantly shaped the motorsports industry, and his upcoming celebrations promise to highlight his lasting legacy.
