Top Gear bosses have been criticised after the show's first woman presenter in 15 years arrived at the launch in a Bavarian barmaid outfit.

Sabine Schmitz, a professional racing driver from Germany, posed for BBC publicity shots while wearing a racy off-the-shoulder top and tight corset more commonly associated with German barmaids and fancy dress.

The BBC - which found itself at the centre of several contorversies with former host Jeremy Clarkson - has now been slammed for failing to take the female host 'seriously'.

Top Gear bosses have been criticised after the show's first woman presenter in 15 years, Sabine Schmitz, arrived at the launch event in a Bavarian barmaid-style outfit (pictured)

The professional racing driver from Germany (second from left) joined co-presenters Matt LeBlanc, motoring journalist Rory Reid, YouTube star Chris Harris and Chris Evans (left to right) at the launch event

Ms Schmitz, 46, was the first woman to win Germany’s famous Nürburgring 24-hour race and drives for BMW and Porsche.

Sam Smethers, chief executive at the Fawcett Society, a women's equality group, said: 'Sabine Schmitz is a professional motor racing driver who will run rings round the rest of the Top Gear crew, whatever she’s wearing.

'It would pay for the BBC, and the men she’s working with, to take her seriously.'

One of the guests also took to Twitter to criticise the outfit, writing: 'Sabine Schmitz and I need to have a talk about outfits... in German so she gets it.'

A Top Gear source said that Ms Schmitz picked her own outfit for the event to celebrate her German roots and 'inject some fun' into the event.

The new series, due to return to screens in May, was launched in Liverpool on Monday where some 700 bosses from around the world were shown a sneak preview of the show

Ms Schmitz, 46 (pictured with Chris Evans), was the first woman to win Germany’s famous Nürburgring 24-hour race and drives for BMW and Porsche. The BBC has been criticised for not taking her seriously

They said: 'All new Top Gear is truly an international affair so Sabine wanted to inject some fun into proceedings in front of an audience of global TV Executives.

'She is very proud of her German roots and chose to surprise the crowd with a outfit of her own choosing.'

The promotional event took place last night at Liverpool Echo arena, where 700 TV buyers gathered to catch a glimpse of the new series.

It was hosted by BBC Worldwide, the corporation’s commercial arm, which unveiled a 100 second-long teaser, showing lead presenter Chris Evans being sick after going for a spin with Ms Schmitz.

The pair gave each other a big hug as they talked about plans for the upcoming series. The divorced ex-racing driver has appeared on Top Gear before, roaring around the Nürburgring track

The pair had been taking part in a race against a fighter jet at the US Topgun base in Nevada when the Radio 2 DJ had to step out of the £134,500 luxury spots car.

He was then seen doubling over and appeared to retch, before the camera cut away.

There were also clips of Formula 1 driver Jenson Button cruising around the Top Gear track in Surrey.

Ms Schmitz, who currently presents on German television, will join Chris Evans, Friends star Matt LeBlanc, former F1 boss Eddie Jordan, YouTube star Chris Harris, public audition winner Rory Reid and The Stig on the new show.

The divorced ex-racing driver has appeared on Top Gear before, roaring around the Nürburgring track.

She follows in the footsteps of Kate Humble, Angela Rippon and Vicki Butler-Henderson, who were presenters for the original Top Gear before its 2002 revival.

Six of the seven new presenters were at the event, driving into the arena in a series of flash cars, including the Aston Martin DB10 from the James Bond film Spectre.

Jordan, who already presents for the BBC, recorded a video clip from South Africa, where he is attending a charity event.

Speaking about the event, one TV boss said: 'It went down a storm.'

The new series is due to air in May.