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17th Mar 2021

Former Top Gear presenter and racing driver Sabine Schmitz dies aged 51

Claudia McInerney

sabine schmitz

The sad news was confirmed by Nurburgring on Twitter

German racing driver and and former Top Gear presenter Sabine Schmitz has sadly died aged of 51, after a battle with cancer.

Last year, Schmitz revealed that she had been battling cancer since 2017.

The Nurburgring confirmed the racing driver’s death on Twitter. They said: “The Nurburgring 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!”

Speaking of her cancer battle last year, Sabine said on social media: “Many of you have probably wondered why I was on the list of participants on our Porsche in the NSL and then didn’t drive after all.”

“I would like to provide enlightenment here, I think I owe it to my/our fans!

“Since the end of 2017, I have been fighting an extremely persistent cancer that has not been eliminated with the resources so far. It got a little better – but now it’s come back with full force.

“Now I have to draw all the strength and nerve to master the next powerful therapies … hoping something [good] will happen. So I say goodbye ‘probably’ for the first time this season.”