Sabine Schmitz, Chris Harris to Join Chris Evans on New Top Gear

According to the Telegraph, Sabine Schmitz, the Queen of the Nürburgring, will join former radio host Evans as Top Gear's first female co-host. Unlike TG's previous tenants, Schmitz is a trained racer and a fixture at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. She's also (probably) completed more laps of the world's most intimidating racetrack than any other person alive. But most importantly, she was a regular guest on old TG. Whether it was mentoring Clarkson around the Ring or competing against the team in a series of motoring-related challenges, Top Gear fans will be familiar with the affable German.

Former Drive host Chris Harris will join Schmitz and Evans. Autoblog readers will be intimately familiar with the Brit, who we're betting will take over Clarkson's roll as lord of the drift. Unlike his co-hosts, Harris has been a career auto journalist, writing for Evo, Autocar, and Jalopnik. Among the reported co-hosts, it's Harris that most obviously embodies the characteristics of TG's golden age.

A three-man show might not be in the cards, though. While the Telegraph is pointing to Schmitz, Harris, and Evans, the tabloid the Sun is reporting that former Formula One driver David Coulthard will turn the new TG into a quartet. Despite what sounds like a strong lineup, an insider at TG didn't sound very confident, telling the Sun, "Sabine and Chris are virtually unknown to the wider public and David isn't the most charismatic driver."

On the other hand, had anyone really heard of Clarkson, Hammond, and May before Top Gear exploded in popularity?