Top Gear host Schmitz returns for WTCC Nurburgring round
Top Gear host Sabine Schmitz will make her return to the FIA WTCC later this month at the Nurburgring, making another one-off appearance for Munnich Motorsport for her home round of the series.
Photo by: FIA WTCC
Schmitz became the first female driver to score points in WTCC history at the Nordschleife last season, finishing 10th after a race-long battle with Lada’s Jaap van Lagen.
She will return behind the wheel of the Munnich Motorsport Chevrolet RML Cruze TC1 for this year's race, which doesn’t clash with her new commitments as a presenter on the new version of the BBC Top Gear show.
The 46-year-old German replaces team owner-driver Rene Munnich, who will again step aside due to commitments in the World Rallycross Championship.
“I enjoyed it very much to compete against world champion touring car drivers on the best race circuit in the world,” said Schmitz.
“Because of my Top Gear commitments I haven’t got the time to do the official test and Free Practice 1 on Thursday, which is a bit of a disaster because I need lots of practice in the Chevrolet as it’s so different to the Porsche I’m usually driving.
"I will have a better chance if it rains so my hope is more water, more success! Whatever, I must be crazy to measure myself against these guys without the same amount of time to practice.”
François Ribeiro, Head of series promoter Eurosport Events, added: “It’s great Sabine is coming back to take on the guys again. We enjoyed watching her competing on an equal footing with the men last year.
"She is great driver and personality and it’s no surprise she has been picked up by the most iconic TV car show in the world.
"We know it’s going to be a busy weekend for Sabine but we’re eagerly anticipating her return and to see what she can achieve 12 months on from her WTCC debut.”
Neil Hudson / TouringCarTimes
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