Sabine Schmitz returns to race at the Nürburgring

Sabine Schmitz has been confirmed at Münnich Motorsport for the fifth round of the World Touring Car Championship at the Nürburgring, replacing team owner-driver René Münnich who will again step aside due to commitments in the World Rallycross Championship.

Schmitz became the first driver to score points in the World Touring Car Championship at the Nürburgring Nordschleife last season, finishing tenth after a race-long battle with Lada’s then new signing Jaap van Lagen, and will return behind the wheel of the Münnich Motorsport Chevrolet RML Cruze TC1 for the race, which doesn’t clash with her new commitments as a presenter on the new version of the UK’s Top Gear show.

“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 Eurosport Events, said: “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.”