Ex-F1 star Ralf Schumacher slammed his ex-wife’s “lies” after sharing a WhatsApp message that appears to show she knew he was gay.
Cora Schumacher blasted the former F1 driver when she accused him of leaving her in shock by coming out as gay last month. Ralf, who is the brother of F1 legend Michael Schumacher, took to social media to post a picture of himself and his French business manager Etienne standing arm-in-arm on a boat.
He captioned the heartfelt picture: “The most beautiful thing in life is when you have the right partner by your side with whom you can share everything.” But Cora, who was married to the former Jordan, Williams and Toyota driver from 2001 to 2015, suggested she had no knowledge of Ralf’s sexuality until that moment.
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The former model, 47, who has appeared on the cover of Playboy, GQ and Maxim, said she had “wasted” her years of marriage and felt “stabbed in her heart” when Ralf announced his relationship status. Ralf, 49, has now hit back by posting a screenshot of an alleged WhatsApp chat between his former wife and Etienne, which appears to reveal she knew about it all along.
The chat, which appears to date back to last year, seemingly shows Cora congratulating Etienne about his new relationship with Ralf, saying: “[I am] so happy for you both.” The German TV presenter appears to say she was “told they were married”.
(Image: ralfschumacher_rsc/Instagram)
Ralf posted the WhatsApp chat on his Instagram, alongside the caption: “With all the back and forth, I would like to make it clear that Cora congratulated us in September 2023 because she thought we had gotten married.
“I think it’s a shame for Etienne and me that she spreads so many lies. We both just want to be left in peace.”
That sparked a furious reaction from Cora, who branded the German sportsman’s move “pathetic”. In a social media post of her own, Cora fumed: “How pathetic does a person have to be to publish private WhatsApp messages to conceal the truth?”
She went on to claim that the six-time Grand Prix winner introduced Etienne only as a business associate – and not as his boyfriend. Cora added: “The WhatsApp was my last attempt to at least find out the truth from him.”
(Image: ralfschumacher_rsc/Instagram)
(Image: WireImage)
In an interview with German publication Der Spiegel, Cora said Ralf had told her she needed “psychological help” when she quizzed him over rumours about his sexuality. Der Spiegel said she cried when telling them: “I wish Ralf had included me or at least let me be part of his decision. It would have been a sign of respect.
“During his career in F1, there were many rumours in the paddock. I asked him to clarify if what was being said was true, but he always denied it, telling me that I was imagining everything and that maybe I needed psychological help.
“When he announced it, it was like a stab in the heart. Coming out always affects those around you, including the ex-wife with whom you had a child.
“Today I feel used during the marriage. I feel like I’ve wasted my best years. I ask myself many questions. Was he honest with me?”
(Image: Getty Images)
However, Ralf has said the argument hasn’t put any strain on him, telling German news channel RTL: “Definitely not on me, no.”
Their son David meanwhile, who is also a racing driver, has supported his dad’s new relationship. He said: “I am very happy that you have finally found someone with whom you really feel that you feel very comfortable and secure, no matter if they are a man or a woman.
“I am 100% per cent behind you Dad and wish you all the best and congratulations.”