Sabine Schmitz, the German pilot who acted as a presenter on the BBC’s success Top Gear, died at age 51.
Schmitz revealed last year that he had been suffering from cancer since 2017. Known as the Queen of Nurburgring, her death spawned tributes from the BBC, the team behind Amazon’s The Grand Tourand the world of motorsport.
Top Gear executive producer Clare Pizey said: “Sabine was a beloved member of Top Gear family and host team since 2016, having first appeared on the show in 2004, and everyone who has had the pleasure of working with her on the team is in shock at the news.
“The ‘Queen of Nurburgring’, Sabine radiated positivity, always showed her cheeky smile, no matter how difficult things got – and was a force of nature for women drivers in the world of motorsport. Like everyone else who knew her, we will really miss her – Sabine really was unique. Our thoughts are with his partner Klaus, who has always been by his side and who we have received many times in Dunsfold, and with his family in Germany ”.
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Other Top Gear figures resemble Schmitz, including Jeremy Clackson, who tweeted:
Terrible news about Sabine Schmitz. Such a sunny person and so full of beans.
– Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) March 17, 2021
Current presenter Paddy McGuinness added:
She gave me tips on how to drive a Ferrari very fast and chased me in a banger race. Incredibly crazy and an incredible human being! RIP the great Sabine Schmitz. pic.twitter.com/awtbOnMD90
– Paddy McGuinness 💙 (@PaddyMcGuinness) March 17, 2021
Co-host Chris Harris said:
Rest in peace, wonderful, powerful and hilarious person. pic.twitter.com/nwXgBwZsbE
– chris harris (@harrismonkey) March 17, 2021
Former presenter James May added: “I never thought that car manufacturers should be in the ‘Ring, but I always thought that Sabine Schmitz should, and would be ,. Rotten news. ”Richard Hammond said:“ It is very sad to hear about the passing of Sabine Schmitz, a motorsport legend who will be sorely missed. ”
Although she appeared in Top Gear often over the years, it has been synonymous with the period of Chris Evans and Matt LeBlanc hosting the car brand BBC Studios in 2016. It has become known for making its passengers sick because of the speed with which it drove.
Schmitz grew up in his parents’ hotel just meters from the legendary Nürburgring track and spent his life surrounded by cars and racing. She became the first woman to win the prestigious Nürburgring 24-hour race in 1996.
Sunday episode of Top Gear will be dedicated to Schmitz.