Sabine Schmitz – affectionately known as the queen of Nürburgring and former host of the BBC series “Top Gear” – has died.
Sabine, the only woman to win Germany’s famous 24-hour touring and GT endurance races in 1996 and 1997, passed away on Tuesday. She revealed last year that she has been battling a rare form of cancer since 2017.
The Nürburgring’s race account tweeted: “The Nürburgring has lost its most famous female racer. Sabine Schmitz died prematurely after a long illness. We will miss her and her cheerful disposition. Rest in peace Sabine!”
Sabine was no stranger to the racetrack, having grown up in Nürburg and so close to the Nürburgring track in West Germany. She also raced for the Porsche motorsport team … which also paid tribute to the fact that it is “very sad to hear that Sabine Schmitz (1969-2021) has passed away.”
The Porsche motorsport team added: “The ‘Queen of Nordschleife’ was a popular crowd because of her open, humorous manner. Our sympathy goes out to her family and friends.”
Sabine regularly became a guest on ‘Top Gear’ and made her first appearance in 2004. Executive manufacturer Clare Pizey, said: ‘Sabine was a beloved member of the Highest gear family and presentation team since 2016, when they 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 program’s former host, Jeremy Clarkson, was also amazed at the news that said: “Terrible news about Sabine Schmitz. Such a sunny person and so full of beans.”
Sabine was 51.