F1 legend Ralf Schumacher hits again at former world champion over his ‘very narrow-minded’ remark about him popping out as homosexual
- The brother of seven-time world champion Michael came out as gay back in July
- Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel claimed Ralf is a ‘role model’
- Schumacher criticised Vettel’s comments referencing ‘old white men’
Ex-Formula One driver Ralf Schumacher has criticised former world champion Sebastian Vettel for a ‘narrow-minded’ comment in response to him coming out as gay.
Ralf, the younger brother of seven-time world champion Michael, came out as gay last July.
The 49-year-old revealed he is in a relationship with French business manager Etienne Bousquet-Cassagne.
Schumacher revealed the two-year relationship by sharing a photo with him and Bousquet-Cassagne on social media.
Vettel was asked in an interview with Swiss newspaper Tagesanzeiger about Schumacher coming out as gay, with the four-time world champion praising him as an important role model.
‘If we look at the statistics, many tennis and soccer players would be gay, but it’s still very difficult to come out in sports and be accepted,’ Vettel said.
Ralf Schumacher (left) revealed last year he is in a relationship with Etienne Bousquet-Cassagne
Sebastian Vettel praised Schumacher as a ‘role model’ and said there had been a ‘good’ reaction to the former Williams driver coming out as gay
Schumacher, however, criticised Vettel’s use of the phrase ‘old white men’ as he insisted he had received support from across the sport
‘That’s why role models who have the courage to come out are so important.
‘I don’t know if I could talk about it openly myself, that’s why we should appreciate it when someone does.’
When asked about whether Schumacher coming out was well received in Formula One, Vettel added: ‘Actually, it’s good, but of course, motorsport is still a world where old white men party on petrol.
‘Some things are taboo for many people. Lewis [Hamilton] broke down a lot of barriers as the first Black Formula 1 driver. He brought up the topic of racism and other things that were suddenly being talked about.
‘I came into Formula 1 at the same time as him, and I remember there were a lot of nasty comments about him.’
Schumacher responded to Vettel’s comments on social media and suggested his characterisation of ‘old white men’ was ‘narrow-minded’.
He instead stressed he had received support from across the sport.
‘Thank you for the appreciation,’ Schumacher wrote on Instagram.
Schumacher suggested characterisation of ‘old white men’ was ‘narrow-minded’
Six-time Grand Prix winner Ralf raced between 1997 and 2007. Pictured with legendary brother Michael, left
‘However, I find the remark about old white men is completely wrong because it is not true. I find this wording very narrow-minded.
‘For me the outing was no problem and I was supported by the entire F1.’
Schumacher, however, appeared to have been targeted by comments from Sergio Perez‘s father last year which seemed to poke fun at his sexuality.
Antonio Perez Garibay seemingly made negative remarks toward Schumacher’s sexual orientation while responding to criticism of his son made by the pundit on Sky Germany.
‘There is a driver who was a Formula 1 driver, [turned] journalist. He first stated that Checo was already out of Red Bull,’ Perez’s father told Mexican media in November. ‘The following week, [Schumacher] came out of the closet.
‘I don’t know if he was in love with Checo. Do you understand it? There are many strange things.
‘You no longer know if he is a journalist, a woman, a gentleman. But his opinion does not matter, not because of Checo Perez, but because of what his [ex-]wife said about him.’
Perez had sought to distance himself from his father’s comments, with the former Red Bull driver claiming his father had made a ‘mistake’.
Schumacher’s ex-wife Cora claimed she ‘felt used’ and had ‘wasted her best years’ after finding out the news of his homosexuality
The reality TV star (right) and Ralf (left) were married for 13 years between 2001 and 2014
‘I would also stand behind my son 100 percent and try to help,’ Schumacher also wrote on response to Perez’s father on Instagram in November.
‘That is what you do as a father. As for the style, I would be different but we know Mr. Perez with all his emotions.
‘That is why I am not angry with him. However, I believe that results on the track would be the better argument.’
Perez Garibay’s comments regarding Schumacher’s ex-wife Cora seemed to be referencing the fact the model and former racer said she ‘felt used’ and had ‘wasted her best years’ after finding out the news of Schumacher’s homosexuality.
She also revealed that she was not aware of her ex-husband’s relationship with Bousquet-Cassagne until seeing it via social media, while she also believes she was psychologically manipulated by Schumacher.
In response to his ex-wife, the six-time F1 Grand Prix winner insisted he had always been faithful to Cora and that if he had wanted a child he could have achieved this by other means than getting married.
He added that she seemed to be the only person taking issue with his relationship update.
