Sabine Schmitz has tragically passed away aged 51 after a long battle with cancer.

She has presented the BBC's motoring programme Top Gear since May 2016.

In July 2020, Schmitz revealed via a Facebook post that she had been suffering from "an extremely persistent cancer" since late 2017.

She explained that she had sought treatment and her condition was improving, but she had relapsed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and would be undergoing treatment again.

Aston Martin F1's chief communications officer, Matt Bishop noted on Twitter that Sabine had succumbed to her fight with cancer ,at age 51.

The 51-year-old made her Top Gear debut in 2004.

She appeared in the BBC television show Top Gear with presenter Jeremy Clarkson.

After Clarkson set a lap time of 9 minutes 59 seconds around the Nürburgring in a Jaguar S-Type diesel, Schmitz did a lap in the Jaguar S-Type, and set a time of 9 minutes 12 seconds, beating him by 47 seconds.

When trying to film Schmitz as she drove the S-Type, the film crew were unable to keep up, and had to get Jaguar test driver Wolfgang Schubauer to drive the Jaguar S-Type R chase car.

In 2016, it was confirmed she would take on a role as presenter as part of a show revamp.

Nurburgring, the iconic German racing track, revealed the tragic news on Wednesday morning.

A statement 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!"