Sabine Schmitz – affectionately known as the Queen of the Nürburgring and former host of the BBC hit show “Top Gear” – died.
Sabine, the only woman to win Germany’s famous 24-hour touring car and the GT endurance race event in 1996 and 1997, died on Tuesday. She revealed last year that she had been battling a rare form of cancer since 2017.
The Nürburgring race report tweeted: “The Nürburgring lost its most famous female driver. Sabine Schmitz passed away very early, after a long illness. We will miss her and her cheerful nature. Rest in peace, Sabine!”
Sabine knew the race track well, having grown up in Nürburg and so close to the Nürburgring circuit in western Germany. She also ran for the Porsche racing team … who also paid tribute to her saying that it is “very sad to know that Sabine Schmitz (1969-2021) passed away.”
The Porsche racing team added: “The ‘Queen of Nordschleife’ was the public favorite because of her open and good-natured way. Our sympathy goes out to her family and friends.”
Sabine went on to become a regular guest on “Top Gear” … making her first appearance in 2004. 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 this news. “
The former host of the program, Jeremy Clarkson, was also surprised by the news saying: “Terrible news about Sabine Schmitz. Such a sunny person and so full of beans.”
Sabine was 51 years old.