Iconic female Formula 1 driver, Sabine Schmitz, has died on Tuesday at the age of 51 after a long battle with cancer.
Dubbed the “Queen of the Nürburgring”, Schmitz lost a four year battle with cancer after she was diagnosed in 2017.
Schmitz, who regularly featured on BBC One show ‘Top Gear’, told the world about her cancer diagnosis last year, according to the BBC.
A statement issued by the famous German racetrack said: “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!”
Schmitz is best known for winning Germany’s Nurburgring Nordschleife, one of the toughest racing circuits in the world, in 1996 and 1997, the only woman to do so.
The BBC reports that this Sunday’s episode of Top Gear will be dedicated to Schmitz
Clare Pizey, Top Gear’s executive producer said, “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.
“Like everyone else who knew her, we will truly miss her – Sabine really was one of a kind. 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.”
Current ‘Top Gear’ presenter, Paddy McGunness also paid tribute to the late iconic figure.
“She gave me pointers on how to drive a Ferrari very fast and hunted me down in a banger race. Brilliantly bonkers and an amazing human being! RIP the great Sabine Schmitz,” tweeted McGuinness.
Formula 1 said, “Sabine 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 enthusiasts Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this sad time.”
