Sabine Schmitz, winner of Woman of Worth

The winner of the WWCOTY Woman of Worth Award is Sabine Schmitz. Jury members voted overwhelmingly for the late German professional racing driver and television personality.

Sabine worked for BMW and Porsche and became known for being an expert on the Nürburgring circuit, winning two victories in endurance races during the course of her driving career. 

She became something of a cult icon on television following her appearance on the BBC’s Top Gear and made recurring appearances alongside several of the programme’s presenters.  She died in March 2021.

Women’s World Car of the Year Executive President, Marta Garcia, said Sabine is a worthy winner of the Woman of Worth Award.

“The judges have clearly thought so.  This award is the only one in the world where women who are in the industry or who are in motorsport are recognised by a jury of women.”

Arrangements are being made to notify the family of Sabine Schmitz.

Runner up, and worthy of special mention, was Loujain Al Hathloul. The woman’s rights campaigner of Saudi Arabia. She was arrested in 2014 and detained for attempting to enter Saudi Arabia driving a car from the United Arab Emirates. 

In December 2020 a court condemned her for “promoting women’s rights”.  Loujain was allowed to leave prison on 10^th February 2021 but she is not allowed to leave the country for the next five years.