Sabine was a beloved member of the Top Gear family and presenting team since 2016, having first appeared on the show in 2004, and everyone who had the pleasure of working with her on the team is in shock at this news. She was 51 years old. Schmitz later gained acclaim for an appearance on Top Gear in 2004 in which she drove a van around the track, and subsequently became a presenter on the show alongside Chris Evans in 2016. A clip was then shown of Jeremy attempting the sub-10 minute time and it occurred with one second to spare. Schmitz said last year that she had been diagnosed with cancer in . Pioneering female racer Sabine Schmitz passes away aged 51 Sabine Schmitz was a racing driver who was the first and, to date, only woman to win the famed 24 Hours Nrburgring race. After her historic win at the Nurburgring 24 Hours, Schmitz won again in 1997. The first time she attempted the track, the clock ticked over their ten minutes cut off and as a result, she threw Richard out of the vehicle to attempt it a second time without his weight. Schmitz had become synonymous with the Nurburgring Nordschleife, the 14-mile circuit in Germany that is renowned as the toughest in the world. So get signed up, join our club and get ready for the inside scoops on the greatest week in jumps racing. Schmitz said last year that she had been diagnosed with cancer in 2017. "Like everyone else who knew her, we will truly miss her - Sabine really was one of a kind. RIP #sabineschmitz #TopGear.". Is the Stig a woman? "A superb tribute to #sabineschmitz by the #BBC and the #TopGear team old and new. She was also a helicopter pilot, and co-owner of a bar-restaurant in Nrburg until 2003, when she decided to focus on racing full-time. Monty Don: Gardeners' World host on coping when life's overwhelming, BBC refuse to comment over 'threats' to Naga Muchetty, Jeremy Clarkson branded 'not better than Tarrant' by Richard Hammond, Jeremy Clarkson berates WWTBAM caller after they're cut off, Jeremy Clarkson hits out at ridiculous National Trust investigation. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. No money from the licence fee was used to create this website. After competing in amateur races with her two sisters, Schmitz joined a BMW team in the early 1990s. Such a sunny person and so full of beans. "Our thoughts are with her partner Klaus who was always by her side and who we welcomed to Dunsfold many times, and her family in Germany. The Frikadelli Racing Team, which she founded with her husband Klaus. She boasted about being the fastest taxi driver in the world., Its really fun to scare people, she said on Top Gear in 2010. Schmitz became the first woman to win the Nurburgring 24 Hours . Sabine radiated positivity, always wore her cheeky smile no matter how hard things got and was a force of nature for female drivers in the motoring world. She is survived by her second husband, Klaus Abbelen. Following Clarkson's exit in 2015, Schmitz joined the revamped hosting line-up and retained a recurring role during the BBC's period of various presenters. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox. Her first serious win came in 1996 when she and her co-driver Johannes Scheid won the 24 Hours Nrburgring, making her the first woman to win a major 24-hour endurance race. What happened to Sabine Schmitz? How did Sabine Schmitz die at the age Rest in peace Sabine!. We will miss her and her cheerful nature. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. She replied: I tell you something, I do can that lap time in a van. Sabine revealed she had been battling cancer since 2017. This Sunday's episode of Top Gear will be dedicated to the German racing driver. She did coach me well enough, so that I did a sort of sub ten minute time.. Its in my blood.. "Like everyone else who knew her, we will truly miss her - Sabine really was one of a kind. Schmitz said last year that she had been diagnosed with cancer in 2017. She won the popular Nrburgring 24-hour race in 1996 becoming the first woman to do so and then again the next year. Its a huge corner! He exclaimed which left Sabine laughing. She was a successful racer, winning the 24 Hours of Nrburgring twice. 80 percent talent free, right, Jeremy reiterated. One said: "Nice seeing Clarkson, Hammond and May back on Top Gear again, even if in sad circumstances. While Evans left the show after the first series following negative feedback, Schmitz remained a presenter until 2020, her sunny disposition, good looks, skill on the track and game willingness to try anything making her a great favourite with viewers. As for how many times she has crashed: Many times, I cant count.. Klaus Abbelen and all relatives and friends are deeply saddened . Is this the Carousel, he asked Sabine when in the car and on the track. Rest in peace Sabine., Former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson tweeted: Terrible news about Sabine Schmitz. Ahead of the first episode, fans got a glimpse of what to expect when in January Evans was photographed throwing up after a spin in an Audi R8 V10 driven by Schmitz - an incident dubbed ''car-sick-gate" by the press. We will miss her and her cheerful nature. Variety and the Flying V logos are trademarks of Variety Media, LLC. We will miss her and her cheerful nature. She and her husband, Klaus Abbelen, founded the racing team Frikadelli Racing. Something went wrong, please try again later. She gave me pointers on how to drive a Ferrari very fast and hunted me down in a banger race, said Paddy McGuinness. Former Top Gear presenter Sabine Schmitz - famous for being the only woman to win the Nurburgring 24 Hours - has died aged 51. Klaus Abbelen and all . Rest in peace Sabine!". What cancer did Sabine Schmitz death? - Daily Justnow Schmitz, a popular German racing driver and former featured participant on the BBC show Top Gear, known for her punchy comments and a buoyant personality that stood out in a male-dominated industry, died on Tuesday at a hospital in Trier, in southwestern Germany. Sabine Schmitz obituary: racing driver dies at 51 - Legacy.com Sabine Schmitz has passed away, aged 51 | Top Gear The athlete also worked for the racing circuit's ring taxi, driving tourists on a lap of the course which was located near where Schmitz grew up, CNN reported. The Queen of the Nrburgring and Top Gear host has lost her battle with cancer. She was 51 years old. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. A third wrote: "Beautiful tribute to Sabine by the Top Gear team. The daughter of a wholesaler and a hotel manager in the village of Nurburg, near the border with Belgium, she grew up less than a mile from the Nrburgring complex, and although she trained as a hotelier, she had wanted to be a racing driver since she was 13, she said. Schmitz said last year that she had been diagnosed with cancer. Sabine, known as the Queen of the Nurburgring racetrack died aged 51. Scania 560 R review: the heaviest thing TGs ever tested. STOLEN: Top Gear's Audi S3 has been pinched! As always you can unsubscribe at any time. The profits we make from it go back to BBC programme-makers to help fund great new BBC programmes. ", Hammond, who starred alongside Clarkson and May, added: "Very sad to hear of the passing of Sabine Schmitz, a proper driving legend wholl be sadly missed by many. They put on racing tires, took off the license plates and raced it on the track, Beat Schmitz said about Sabine and the family. She was the only woman to win the epic 24-hour race at the storied Nrburgring track in Germany. Klaus Abbelen and all relatives and friends are deeply saddened by the immeasurable loss.The only female winner of the 24-hour race at Nrburgring, Schmitz also shot to fame via her role on BBCsTop Gear, where she first appeared back in 2004.She joined the show as a regular presenter when Chris Evans took over in 2016 following Jeremy Clarkson's exit. Schmitz grew up within the boundaries of Germany's iconic race track and earned the nickname "Queen of the Nurburgring" after estimating she completed more than 20,000 laps of the track. She continued racing until 2019, despite her ongoing health issues. The former Top Gear host had a long battle with cancer before her untimely passing on Tuesday, March 16 (Wednesday IST). Variety is a part of Penske Media Corporation. She gave me pointers on how to drive a Ferrari very fast and hunted me down in a banger race. Yes, now the Carousel is coming, she replied and made the cross sign across from forehead and across her chest. I never had to learn the track, she once said. To sign up, simply put your email into the box below, and we'll do the rest. She had many observations to make about my driving, he continued to reminisce. Top Gear presenter Chris Harris said Schmitz was a "wonderful, powerful, hilarious person" while the show's former presenter Jeremy Clarkson paid tribute by tweeting she was "such a sunny person and so full of beans". Sabine Schmitz was born on May 14, 1969 in Adenau, in Western Germany. She favored escapades in which she would try to pass other drivers while driving a less powerful car than theirs. Funeral sermons include remarks (eulogies) made by ministers regarding the life of a deceased person. Rest in peace you wonderful, powerful, hilarious person, said Chris Harris this morning. Former Top Gear presenter Sabine Schmitz - famous for being the only woman to win the Nurburgring 24 Hours - has died aged 51. Emmerdale spoilers: Manpreet knows the truth about Ethans mother? German racing driver Sabine Schmitz, who earned the reputation as the "Queen of the Nurburgring", passed away at the age of 51. They love to get scared, so they pay me for that.. The racing icon also became known as the 'worlds fastest taxi driver' by driving passengers around the track in a BMW M5. The fabled main track of the Nrburgring, the 12.9-mile-long Nordschleife, is known as Green Hell for its 73 turns as it weaves through the forest in the Eifel hills. The Nurburgring has 147 corners. The Nrburgring has lost its most famous female racing driver. He said: [It was at the] Nurburgring with Clarkson. In a Facebook post in July last year, Schmitz revealed that she had been suffering from "an extremely persistent cancer" since late 2017, for which she had been treated, but the cancer had returned. Sophia Floersch, a 20-year-old German driver who became the first woman to compete in Formula 3 last year, called Schmitzs races inspirational and motivating. Sending our love and thoughts to Klaus, her family, close friends and the Frikadelli Racing team she was so proud of.". Read about our approach to external linking. Sabine was then seen telling Jeremy to stop breaking before telling him a girl overtook him. Todays top TV and streaming picks: Documentary on US prison uprising, romcom Crazy Rich Asians and Netflix series Love Village, Andrew - The Problem Prince review: How Randy Andy became the royal everyone wishes they could forget, Citadel review: I spy with my little eye a $300m Amazon disaster, TV reviews: Watching live sport is like going to Mass long, boring, but soothing, From James Corden to Ryan Tubridy why the kings of chat are quitting the hot seat, TG4 presenter Somha N Ruairc: I prioritised how I looked over almost everything else, Pat Shortt says the Late Late Show needs a shake-up as Ryan Tubridy enters final month as host, Ryan Tubridy warns followers about fake account using his name, Charlie Cox: I love being a superhero I thought that ship had sailed, The best weekend TV: Thrilling spy-fi Citadel, Celebrity Mastermind and the hit crime drama Kin, Fitness influencer Maeve Madden: One weekend we were getting married, the next we were burying daddy, 1,750 a month and it smells like s**t: Diary of a Dublin renter, New system will see prescriptions accessed via barcodes on mobile phones and tablets, Murder at the Hilton: Dee Dee ODriscoll gang associates linked to hit on criminal Gary Carey, Karl Lagerfelds cat honoured at Met Gala with feline-inspired outfits, Trial for Chris Packhams libel claim set to begin, Amendments seeking greater transparency from processors under food regulator bill rejected by Government, Lucinda OSullivans restaurant review: From the good old roast to vegan fare, Brabazon is superb, Ask the GP: My doctor says gallstone surgery isnt necessary, but Im terrified of an attack, WMM diary: If I get overwhelmed, I feel the inner critic coming out, so I dont allow myself to go there, Silage wrap to cost up to 125/roll as IFFPG levy hike comes into play, Hundreds of farmers may lose out on full ACRES commonage payment, Darragh McCullough: Greenwashing ads on the radio make me want to break things, Rape crops causing racehorse health issues, leading trainers say, Council tenants allowed rent out rooms for up to 14,000 a year tax-free, Tens of thousands of health insurance customers who took out entry-level plans are now overpaying, Sex symbol? Obituary: Sabine Schmitz - Independent.ie I mean, hurtfully so.. Tributes poured in for the late driver on Wednesday, including from Formula One, which wrote, "Pioneer, champion, Queen of the Nurburgring.". A statement read: Sabine Schmitz (14.5.1969 16.3.2021) passed away yesterday (Tuesday) after her brave fight against cancer. Sabine Schmitz, the pioneering female racer and only woman to have won the Nurburgring 24 Hours endurance race, has passed away at the age of 51. RIP the great Sabine Schmitz, tweeted current Top Gear presenter Paddy McGuinness. Lindsay Kimble. German racing driver and television star Sabine Schmitz died on Thursday after a four-year battle with cancer. An old clip from the first time Sabine was seen on the show was played and Jeremy was seen explaining: The Top Gear test track has eight corners. Sabine Schmitz dead: Top Gear presenter and Queen of the Nurburgring Do you know, Im not feeling proud, The Grand Tour presenter remarked. Schmitz died on Tuesday, the Frikadelli Racing Team she founded with her husband Klaus Abbelen confirmed. We will miss her and her cheerful nature. F1's new sprint race weekend format explained. Nine minutes, 59 seconds, he told Sabine with the dashboard clock in his hands to prove it. After Sabine beat Jeremy in the same car on the same track with nine minutes, 12 seconds on the clock. Sabine Schmitz introduced thousands of race fans to fast laps at the famous Nrburgring. VOICI - Mort de Sabine Schmitz, pilote et prsentatrice de Top Gear, seulement 51 ans VOICI 1:01 Sabine Schmitz dies aged 51 after battle with cancer | OnTrending News OnTrending 3:15 Sabine Schmitz : La prsentatrice de Top Gear et clbre pilote est morte 51 ans Allo Trends Xtra 11:56 Sabine Schmitz Top Gear Challenge Tribute by Viperconcept Sabine Schmitz, 'Queen of the Nurburgring,' dead at 51 Such a sunny person and so full of beans. A statement read: " Sabine Schmitz (14.5.1969 - 16.3.2021) passed away yesterday (Tuesday) after her brave fight against cancer. BBC Studios is a commercial company that is owned by the BBC (and just the BBC). Jeremy Clarkson paid a heartfelt tribute to Sabine Schmitz after the popular Top Gear presenter tragically passed away aged 51. She returned as a host a little over a decade later. "She was 51 years old. She was 51. I think she loved how much she could shock middle-aged men who thought they could drive a bit until they saw what she could do, Chris Harris, a Top Gear host, said. RIP Sabine," one more added. Richard joined Sabine in the van for the challenge and took the opportunity to ask her how many laps of the track she thinks she has done in her lifetime. Its not really a corner, she hit back at Jeremy whining. Read Next: Jury Duty Star Ronald Gladden on His Newfound Fame and Future Plans: I Would Love to Be on Something Else, Karl Lagerfeld Documentary Acquired by Prime Video Global Bulletin, BBC Chair Richard Sharp Resigns Over Role in Boris Johnson Loan Saga, BBC Must Develop Plan for a Digital Future, U.K. Government Report Recommends, Only Murders in the Building Season 3 Premiere Date Revealed by Steve Martin and Martin Short at Comedy Show (EXCLUSIVE), Bill Hader Stopped Signing Merchandise After Fed Up Encounter With a Star Wars Fan: Im Not Signing Any of This S—, Woody Harrelson Ignored Backlash Over SNL Covid Conspiracy Monologue: I Dont Look at That S and It Doesnt Change My Life One Bit, Matthew Lawrence: 'My Agency Fired Me' After I Refused to Take My Clothes Off for an Award-Winning Director, Jock Zonfrillo, MasterChef Australia Judge, Dies at 46, Academy Sets New Oscar Campaign Rules After Controversies Involving Andrea Riseborough, Tom Cruise and Michelle Yeoh, Aerosmith Retiring From the Road, Announces 40-Date Arena Farewell Tour, Willie Nelsons 90th Birthday Is Smoking, With Snoop Dogg, George Strait and Neil Young Among the Party Favorites at the Hollywood Bowl, Monster Season 2: Menndez Brothers Are the Next Subjects of Ryan Murphys Netflix Series, May December First Look: Natalie Portman Wants to Become Julianne Moore in Todd Haynes Cannes Premiere (EXCLUSIVE), COVER STORY | How a Sex Scandal, Big Egos and Putin Led to Jeff Shells Sudden, No Payout Exit From NBCU, Ryan Goslings Greta Gerwig Barbie Tee and Margot Robbies Pink Two Piece Embrace Barbiecore, The Brilliance of Harry Belafonte in 12 Songs, Bob Odenkirk Joins The Bear Season 2 (EXCLUSIVE), Is This 'Beau Is Afraid' Character a De-Aged Joaquin Phoenix? She was extremely critical of me, hurtfully so. Two years later she made her first appearance on Top Gear, beating Clarkson in a time trial around the Nrburgring by 47 seconds, before telling him that she could drive the track faster in a van than he could in a Jaguar S-Type. Sabine Schmitz: Former racing driver and Top Gear presenter dies aged Last updated on 17 March 202117 March 2021.From the section Motorsport. One of her most popular moments on the show occurred in 2009, when she tried to complete a lap on the Nrburgring circuit in less than 10 minutes with a Ford van. Schmitz later gained acclaim for an appearance on Top Gear in 2004 in which she drove a van around the track, and subsequently became a. In Germany, these sermons were often collected and published. Rest in peace Sabine!. Silverstone - which is a big Grand Prix circuit - has 12 corners. Sabine Schmitz passed away far too early after a long illness. Schmitz, known as the Queen of the Nurburgring, was a familiar face on. She became a spirited participant on the BBC show Top Gear.. Brilliantly bonkers and an amazing human being! All Rights Reserved. The first time she ever took me [to the track], she humiliated me and was rude, Jeremy said. We will miss her and her cheerful nature. The German - the only female winner of the 24 Hours of Nurburgring - racer first appeared alongside Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May on the BBC's flagship motor racing show back in 2004. Sabine Schmitz was diagnosed with cancer in 2017, but continued racing until several years later in 2019. She was also a star of TV's "Top Gear." We invite you to share. "The 'Queen of the Nurburgring', Sabine radiated positivity, always wore her cheeky smile no matter how hard things got - and was a force of nature for women drivers in the motoring world. 'Just scrap the whole thing': Is Max Verstappen right, or did F1's sprint experiment pay off? Photo: Matthias Balk/dpa Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images Schmitzs time on Top Gear brought a non-British touch to a show mostly run by men and aimed at them. She was six months old when she first drove the circuit (albeit in the back seat of her father's car), and from the age of 13 knew she wanted to be a racing driver. James May unveiled 'hatred' for Top Gear stars: 'Not mates! Turn in more later, she suggested to Jeremy. Clare Pizey, the shows executive producer, said: Sabine was a beloved member of the Top Gear family and presenting team since 2016, having first appeared on the show in 2004, and everyone who had the pleasure of working with her on the team is in shock at this news. Schmitz later gained acclaim for an appearance on Top Gear in 2004 in which she drove a van around the track, and subsequently became a. ", Former Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson tweeted: "Terrible news about Sabine Schmitz. Altogether she entered 89 races, winning five and appearing on the podium for 16. She became known as the "Queen of the Nurburgring" and estimated she had driven around the track more than 20,000 times. Clarkson leads Sabine Schmitz tributes after Top Gear star's sad death RIP. In addition to her half brother, she is survived by her husband, her mother and two sisters. She won the race first in 1996, and again with her BMW team in 1997. She did her first lap behind the wheel, in her mother's BMW, at 17. The Queen of the Nrburgring had been battling cancer for over three years. Revealed: the winners of the 2023 TopGear.com Electric Awards! Such a sunny person and so full of beans.. Top Gear's Chris Harris called Schmitz a "true legend" in a heartfelt blog post about her death. The Top Gear presenter revealed last year that she had been dealing with a rare form of cancer. "What a touching tribute to Sabine Schmitz on #TopGear this evening. Maybe she knows more than you., The clip then continued with Jeremy asking Sabine: Do you think Im going to be able to get around [the race track] in ten minutes?, No, she bluntly replied. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Her charisma led to her becoming a guest commentator on motorsport events on German television and co-hosting D-motor, a show on which, Top Gear-style, she would take on a new racing challenge every week. ", "Sabine Schmitz passed away far too early after a long illness. The new Nordschleife, which was modified when Schmitz was 2, became her playground. It was so good to watch.. By clicking subscribe, you agree to receive news, promotions and offers by email from Top Gear and BBC Studios. And none of them were kind.. Protestants started the practice and made the most funeral sermons, but . I will be sharing with you guys as I experience them myself..SUSCRIBE NOW FOR MORE VIDEOS https://www.youtube.com/c/ADInfotainment.Feel free to add me on Instagram/Facebook/Snapchat/Tiktok: {@ad.infotainment}#SabineSchmitz #SabineSchmitzfuneral #SabineSchmitzlastwords #SabineSchmitzlastmomments Express. Sabine Schmitz: Top Gear presenter and 'Queen of Nrburgring' - video I show you what a really fast lap is.. Im Austine Dominic{AD}. Jeremy Clarkson was among the original and new Top Gear presenters, as well as other professionals who had been inspired by Sabine Schmitz's success to pay tribute to the racing legend. Sabine Schmitz health: Sports stars battle with cancer. [THEORY]Monty Don: Gardeners' World host on coping when life's overwhelming[COMMENT]BBC refuse to comment over 'threats' to Naga Muchetty[NEWS], In response to her comment, Jeremy said: Im glad that I amused her, but I still dont know why it was particularly funny., Richard offered up an answer: Maybe listen? The motorsport world is mourning the tragic death of female pioneer Sabine Schmitz, w 872K views Porsche GT3RS Sabine. How to watch the F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix on ESPN, Unlapped: How to listen or watch ESPN's new F1 show, episode archive, and more, What is the Shootout? The Nrburgring has lost its most famous female racing driver, the Nrburgrings official account added on social media. She was also a star of TV's "Top Gear." Died: March 16, 2021 ( Who else. "She had been battling cancer for some time, but I suppose we just assumed that it being Sabine unstoppable Sabine she would win that one as well. She became known as the "Queen of the Nurburgring" and estimated she had driven around the track more than 20,000 times. Sabine said: At the moment its quite easy. Shows the affection that they had for Sabine Schmitz for them to come back to pay tribute #TopGear.". Logos 1996. Sabine Schmitz has passed away, aged 51 The Queen of the Nrburgring and Top Gear host has lost her battle with cancer TopGear.com Published: 17 Mar 2021 Top Gear Magazine Subscription - 5. Sabine Schmitz Dead at 51 - People Sabine radiated positivity, always wore her cheeky smile no matter how hard things got and was a force of nature for women drivers in the motoring world, continued Pizey. Klaus Abbelen and all relatives and . Lindsay Kimble is a Senior Digital News Editor and the . "Like everyone else who knew her, we will truly miss her - Sabine really was one of a kind. After Clarkson's suspension by the BBC in March 2015 following a violent incident in a hotel, The Guardian proposed Clarkson be replaced by Schmitz, on the grounds that not only did she know a lot about cars, but also "she is both German and a woman, a combination of traits so alien to the majority of Top Gear viewers that the whole show would probably self-destruct within an hour of her taking the job". Eric Gilbert/Motorsport Images/Shutterstock, Photo by: Thomas Frey/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images, Who Is Running for President in 2024? As well as Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, Schmitz also worked alongside Chris Evans, Matt LeBlanc, Paddy McGuinness and Freddie Flintoff during her spell on Top Gear. Christopher F. Schuetze contributed reporting. RACING driver and Top Gear favourite Sabine Schmitz has died at the age of 51. Fittingly, the circuit itself was among the first to pay tribute. An incredible talent and wonderful person who made us all smile. "Sabine Schmitz passed away far too early after a long illness. She became known to an even broader public when she joined Top Gear in 2016 after several appearances on the show. Sabine Schmitz's first marriage was dissolved in 2000. Sabine Schmitz Funeral,Last Words in Hospital bed will make you cry! The Top Gear presenter revealed last year that she had been dealing with a rare form. ', Jeremy Clarkson said Sabine Schmitz was rude and humiliated him in first Top Gear meet, Top Gear: Sabine did not hold back when it came to commenting on Jeremy's driving, Top Gear: Sabine said she could beat Jeremy's time in a van, Jeremy Clarkson returns to Top Gear to pay tribute to Sabine Schmitz, Jeremy Clarkson says the left are 'aroused' over Boris take down, Top Gear: Sabine didn't manage to uphold her bet, Top Gear: Sabine was part of the show from the very beginning. This Sunday's episode of Top Gear will be dedicated to Schmitz, with Clare Pizey, executive producer, saying: "Sabine was a beloved member of the Top Gear family and presenting team since 2016, having first appeared on the show in 2004, and everyone who had the pleasure of working with her on the team is in shock at this news. Schmitz is best known for winning Germanys Nurburgring Nordschleife, one of the toughest racing circuits in the world, in 1996 and 1997, the only woman to do so. Lindsay Kimble. Last year Schmitz revealed she had been secretly battling cancer since 2017, having been forced to pull out of an event at the last minute, and her tragic death was announced on Wednesday. Sabine Schmitz, who has died of cancer aged 51, was a daredevil professional racing driver known as the "Queen of the Nrburgring" who became a popular member of the BBC's new-look Top Gear . She won the 24-hour touring car race at the track twice, in 1996 and 1997, driving a BMW M3. RIP.". Such a sunny person and so full of beans. Does F1 need to make changes? What an amazing woman, incredibly good at what she did, who lived for life, taken from us way too soon. And Jeremy joked: Dont sugar-coat it like that. ", May said: "I never thought car makers should be at the Ring, but I always thought Sabine Schmitz should, and would, be. Top Gear presenter and famed racing driver Sabine Schmitz has died following a battle with cancer. She was able to recite the names of the 73 turns by heart, and she first completed it at age 17 with her mothers car, before she had a driving license.