Entertainment
Top Gear fans praise emotional Sabine Schmitz tribute as Jeremy Clarkson returns to show for first time since 2015
Top Gear fans have praised bosses for an emotional tribute to Sabine Schmitz.
The professional motor racing driver, known as Queen of the Nurburging, died last month aged 51, after a long battle with cancer.
Following her death, former presenters Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May returned to Top Gear to say a final goodbye to their colleague, in a special episode of the show.
‘When she walked into a room it was as though everything just got a bit brighter and a bit louder,’ Jeremy said.
‘She was turning everything up on your television until it was just (begins to shake) just like that – and that’s what five minutes with Sabine was like.’
‘You watch those films with her in again and just watch her smile,’ Richard agreed. ‘Watch her expressions when she was driving right on the ragged edge, even in those moments she was happy to give in to the joy of it.
‘And the great tragedy is I’m sure she had much more of that to share with us.’
Viewers were left in tears over the emotional scenes, flocking to Twitter to praise the tribute.
‘What a lovely tribute to Sabine Schmitz by #TopGear,’ a fan penned. ‘It was lovely to see the film of her driving the van around Nurburgring to beat Clarkson, it was, and will remain one of my favourite Top Gear films.’
‘Just watched the Sabine Schmitz tribute, she was amazing, had a bit of a lump in my throat #topgear,’ another agreed.
‘What a woman Sabine was! It hits you right in the feels watching the #topgear tribute! God bless her soul.. RIP Angel #sabineschmitz,’ one posted.
A Twitter user commented: ‘Sabine Schmitz. What a driver. Absolutely mental and a joy to watch. I’m glad @BBC_TopGear did a tribute to her. #sabineschmitz #topgear RIP.’
As a follower added: ‘Just watched the #TopGear Sabine Schmitz tribute and wow I’m in tears. What a woman she was. RIP.’
Sabine first appeared on Top Gear in 2004, and later went on to become a regular feature on the motoring series.
Her death was confirmed in March by a statement from Nurburgring, which read: ‘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!’
Top Gear: A tribute to Sabine Schmitz is available to stream on BBC iPlayer now.
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