Sabine Schmitz, the German racer who serves as presenter on the BBC hit Highest gear, passed away at the age of 51.
Schmitz revealed last year that she had been suffering from cancer since 2017. Her death, known as the queen of the Nurburgring, paid tribute to the BBC, the team behind Amazon’s The Grand Tour, and the automotive world.
Highest gear executive producer Clare Pizey said: ‘Sabine was a beloved member of the Highest gear family and presentation team since 2016, first appeared on the program in 2004, and everyone who had the pleasure of working with her on the team was shocked by this news.
“The ‘Queen of the Nurburgring’, Sabine, radiated positivity, always wore her brutal smile, no matter how difficult it became – and was a force of nature for female drivers in the automotive world. Like everyone who knew her, we would really miss her – Sabine was really one of a kind. We think of her friend Klaus, who was always by her side and who welcomed us many times in Dunsfold, and her family in Germany. ”
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Other Highest gear figures remember Schmitz, including Jeremy Clackson, who tweeted:
Terrible news about Sabine Schmitz. Such a sunny person and so full of beans.
Jeremy Clarkson @JeremyClarkson 17 March 2021
Current presenter Paddy McGuinness added:
She gave me directions on how to drive a Ferrari very fast and chased me into a banger race. Brilliant bonkers and an amazing human being! RIP the great Sabine Schmitz. pic.twitter.com/awtbOnMD90
– Paddy McGuinness (@PaddyMcGuinness) 17 March 2021
Co-host Chris Harris said:
Rest in peace, wonderful, powerful, hilarious person. pic.twitter.com/nwXgBwZsbE
– Chris Harris (@harrismonkey) 17 March 2021
Former presenter James May added: “I never thought car manufacturers should be at the ‘Ring, but I always thought Sabine Schmitz should and would be too. Rotten news. Richard Hammond said: “It is very sad to hear of the passing of Sabine Schmitz, a proper driving legend who will be greatly missed by many.”
Although she appeared on Highest gear over the years, she was synonymous with Chris Evans and Matt LeBlanc’s era of hosting the 2016 BBC brand. She became famous because she made passengers sick because of the speed at which she drove.
Schmitz grew up in her parental home, just a few meters from the legendary Nürburgring track, and spent her life driving and racing. In 1996, she became the first woman to win the prestigious 24-hour Nürburgring race.
Sunday’s episode of Highest gear will be assigned to Schmitz.