Sabine Schmitz ‘Queen of the Nürburgring’ dies aged 51

[NGRhodes]

Cancer has beaten her after battling for a number of years.

https://twitter.com/nuerburgring/status/1372095748...

[croyde]

Oh no! Never knew she was ill. That is very sad news.

[Weso60]

That is so sad,

[Digga]

Awful, tragic news.

This is how I will remember her:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufzdL1JaEKM

One of a few clips that persuaded me to get a GT3. If only I had a tenth of her talent, skill and bravery around the Nordschleife.

[B'stard Child]

Digga said:

Awful, tragic news.

This is how I will remember her:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufzdL1JaEKM

One of a few clips that persuaded me to get a GT3. If only I had a tenth of her talent, skill and bravery around the Nordschleife.

RIP

Thanks for posting that clip - I've never seen it before - outstanding 35 plus overtakes in 8 mins - was everyone else on linglong tyres???

[peterperkins]

Seemed like a decent person as well as an incredibly talented driver.

RIP Sabine..

[NGRhodes]

B'stard Child said:

Digga said:

Awful, tragic news.

This is how I will remember her:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufzdL1JaEKM

One of a few clips that persuaded me to get a GT3. If only I had a tenth of her talent, skill and bravery around the Nordschleife.

RIP

Thanks for posting that clip - I've never seen it before - outstanding 35 plus overtakes in 8 mins - was everyone else on linglong tyres???

I suspect its mixture of her miles of experience on the Ring ( knowing which alternate lines will/won't work in the wet) and she was very good at setting her own car up.

[Digga]

B'stard Child said:

RIP

Thanks for posting that clip - I've never seen it before - outstanding 35 plus overtakes in 8 mins - was everyone else on linglong tyres???

I'd like someone else here to confirm, but I think her car had been forced to start out of position, from the pit lane, so her pace was well ahead anyway, but it's not just that. Clearly her knowledge of the track and also the fact it was beginning to rain, further contributed to the spectacle.

I'm not a great driver, but I know when I am watching one. I've spent a few full days there, plus some TF laps, both wet, dry and intermediate, and can only marvel at her ability to transcend the changing conditions. It is really not easy to overtake there, especially in the wet and especially some of the places she manages to put passes in. Truly brilliant driving.

[rich350z]

Digga said:

Awful, tragic news.

This is how I will remember her:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufzdL1JaEKM

One of a few clips that persuaded me to get a GT3. If only I had a tenth of her talent, skill and bravery around the Nordschleife.

So so sad!

Never seen this.

If you've not seen it before, watch it now, awesome.

[Lotusgone]

Oh bloody hell, that is a real shock.

On a pilgrimage to the Ring, I stayed at her family's hotel - her mum's really nice. I saw her at breakfast (and left her alone, she didn't need some Brit fan mooning over her that early) and the day before in the paddock of the modern circuit - chatting and laughing with other drivers.

From that team's van (Porsche Frikadelli) I collected a postcard and have had it above my desk for a few years. A great driver, and I'll always remember that smile.

[Anonymous-poster]

Very sad news and always came across as a genuinely nice person who loved driving.

R.I.P.

[Digga]

Lotusgone said:

On a pilgrimage to the Ring, I stayed at her family's hotel - her mum's really nice. I saw her at breakfast (and left her alone, she didn't need some Brit fan mooning over her that early) and the day before in the paddock of the modern circuit - chatting and laughing with other drivers.

I stayed there a few times. I think Frau Schmitz and her brother who is also involved were relatively chilled about the Sabine publicity - cuts both ways - as they sometimes had signed postcards on the desk up in the breakfast room.

I was always disappointed never to have seen Sabine on my visits there, as she was a real hero of mine. A real one of a kind.

[Weso60]

Awful, tragic news.

This is how I will remember her:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufzdL1JaEKM


Not seen this either, quite possibly the best in car racing video I have ever watched, lost for words...

Thanks for posting

[seymourski]

Really sad news. I loved her enthusiasm and passion; she really gave her all in the Transit feature on Top Gear. Condolences to her family and friends. Rest in peace Sabine.

[croyde]

Digga said:

Awful, tragic news.

This is how I will remember her:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufzdL1JaEKM

One of a few clips that persuaded me to get a GT3. If only I had a tenth of her talent, skill and bravery around the Nordschleife.

Jeezuz!

She drives like I do in GTA 5, except I crash into everything.

Amazing RIP

[CAPP0]

That's very sad news.

The video posted early in the thread is astonishing to watch! I've been on the Ring in the wet, albeit a TF day not a race, and the lack of grip would border on comical were it not so bloody scary. The way in which she finds her way past so many other cars when she's frequently off the line just adds to the spectacle!

[BossHogg]

Sad news indeed.

[woodypup59]

The BBC say that 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.

[amokwa]

Heartbreaking news, may she rest in peace.

[pitboard]

There's obviously a huge amount of respect and affection for Sabine over here. I hope her family get to know and gain some comfort from it.