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New-look Top Gear hasn't even aired an episode and it's already caught up in a sexism storm.

German racing driver Sabine Schmitz wore a racy Bavarian barmaid outfit at the BBC motoring show's launch event in Liverpool, causing fans to question show bosses.

It was thought that the BBC wanted to move away from the Jeremy Clarkson era - after the presenter being sacked from punching a producer following several controversial moments - and fans have hit out at the latest blunder.

(Image: BBC)

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“I thought the idea was to go away from the sexist regime under Jeremy Clarkson," said one fan, according to the Daily Star.

“But at first glance it doesn’t appear like a lot has changed.”

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

One viewer tweeted: "Sorry Chris, Matt & Sabine, Top Gear will never be the same, it should be called something else, I like most won't watch it."

Although, another posted: "Was all prepared to hate the new Top Gear, and then they signed Sabine."

A source close to Top Gear told Mirror Online that Sabine picked her own outfit for the event.

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."

Schmitz is the BBC One motoring show's first female presenter in 15 years.

BBC have been contacted for comment.

(Image: BBC) (Image: BBC)

The German champion racing driver - who is known for her fearsome driving skills and her nickname as the Queen of the Nurburgring - will join Chris Evans and the other presenters on the BBC Two motoring show.

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.

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A regular on German television, Sabine has co-hosted D-Motor since 2006, and become known for her ability to take on any motoring challenge.

Sabine drives professionally for BMW and Porsche, and was the first woman ever to win a major 24hr driving race in 1998.

She's also well known for driving one of the BMW M5 'ring taxis' around the Nurburgring in Germany.