Sabine Schmitz, former racing driver and Top Gear presenter, dies aged 51 | Motor sport | The Guardian — theguardian.com

Sabine Schmitz, the only female winner of the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, has died at the age of 51. The Top Gear presenter revealed last year that she had been dealing with a rare form of cancer since 2017.The German race track released a statement paying tribute to the driver. “The Nürburgring has lost its most famous female racing driver. Sabine Schmitz passed away far too early after a long illness. We will miss her and her cheerful nature. Rest in peace Sabine!”The Adenau-born Schmitz’s first triumph at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring came in 1996 with Johannes Scheid and Hans Widmann in the BMW M3. She won again the following year with Scheid, Hans-Jürgen Tiemann and Peter Zakowski.Schmitz, who was widely known as “Queen of the Nürburgring”, later impressed with her own team Frikadelli Racing, which she had founded with her husband, Klaus Abbelen.Pioneer, champion, Queen of the NurburgringSabine Schmitz was a unique, much-loved and cherished member of our sport's family, and a force of nature for inspiring a new generation of motorsport enthusiastsOur thoughts are with her family and friends at this sad time pic.twitter.com/nwrLyZvXla— Formula 1 (@F1) March 17, 2021 She first joined Jeremy Clarkson on on the BBC show Top Gear in 2004 and became part of the presenting team when Chris Evans revamped the programme in 2016. “Terrible news about Sabine Schmitz. Such a sunny person and so full of beans,” Clarkson tweeted.“Very sad to hear of the passing of Sabine Schmitz, a proper driving legend who’ll be sadly missed by many. The Ring has lost its Queen. RIP” wrote Clarkson’s former Top Gear co-host Richard Hammond.Formula One paid tribute to Schmitz on Twitter: “We are all deeply saddened to hear that Sabine Schmitz has passed away. An incredible talent and wonderful person who made us all smile. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this sad time.”The FIA’s Women in Motorsport commission added: “Such sad news about Sabine Schmitz, Queen of the Nürburgring. Our sincere condolences to all her family and friends.” PA Media

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