Ralf Schumacher is in a relationship with his sales manager, a close friend of the couple has revealed, hours after the former Formula One driver and brother of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher came out as gay in a social media post on Sunday.
Ralf, 49, shared a picture of himself and another man embracing as they watched a sunset over the ocean accompanied by a touching message that read: ‘The most beautiful thing in life is when you have the right partner by your side with whom you can share everything.’
The surprise announcement from the former driver turned businessman and pundit was met with an outpouring of congratulations and well wishes from fans and members of the motorsport community.
But German actress Carmen Geiss, a close friend of the couple, revealed that Ralf had already been in a relationship for two years and named her partner Etienne, a Frenchman who was working as Ralf’s sales manager when they fell in love.
“They met in Monaco. Ralf lives in Salzburg with his son, Etienne lives in Nice. But the two are together quite often,” Geiss said, adding that the couple is “sensationally happy” and “have never had an argument or dispute.”
Ralf Schumacher is in a relationship with his sales representative, a close friend of the couple has revealed
Etienne is seen on a yacht in Monaco harbour during a F1 racing weekend
Geiss, 59, said she and her husband Robert have been frequently invited to visit Ralf and Etienne since their romantic relationship began about two years ago.
The commercial manager is said to have met former Jordan, Williams and Toyota driver Ralf in Monaco.
Ralf, 49, shared a picture of himself and another man hugging each other accompanied by a touching message that read: ‘The most beautiful thing in life is when you have the right partner by your side with whom you can share everything.’
Etienne appears in a wine cellar in this image shared on social media.
Etienne divides his time between Cape Town in South Africa and the city of Nice on the French Riviera, just 30 minutes from Monaco, home to many past and present members of F1’s glittering paddock.
There, the commercial manager is said to have met former Jordan, Williams and Toyota driver Ralf, and the two began working together, with Etienne managing the former driver’s affairs.
But it’s unclear when their relationship turned from professional to personal.
Geiss, 59, said IMAGE that she and her husband Robert are frequently invited to visit Ralf and Etienne since their love affair began about two years ago.
“Robert and I are very happy for Ralf and Etienne. The secret is finally out, it’s wonderful that they are now living their love,” she said.
Her interview with BILD came hours after the actress responded to Ralf’s post on Sunday with a heartfelt message of support.
“I LOVE YOU BOTH SO MUCH,” she wrote.
‘You have the best companion you could ever imagine, Etienne. After two years, you can finally show your love to the world. I have known Ralf for over 25 years and he has always been a great joy to me.
‘Always a liberal, a good-hearted person whom I can call day and night and above all he has always been honest with me in his position.
‘I am happy to have been able to be part of this love and even happier for the two of them who sought each other out and found each other, because I also love Etienne deeply.’
The news of Ralf’s gay relationship comes nearly a decade after he split from ex-wife Cora Brinkman in 2015.
The couple were married for 14 years, having tied the knot in 2001 before divorcing nine years ago, and also had a son, David, who yesterday shared his support for his father on social media.
“I’m so glad you finally found someone you feel really comfortable and safe with, no matter if it’s a man or a woman,” wrote the 22-year-old, who is also a racing driver.
I’m 100 percent behind you, Dad, and I wish you all the best and congratulations.
Cora, now 47, had her own racing career, driving in various series and championships, and also built a separate career in show business as a Playboy model, television presenter and actress.
She is best known for appearing on German television shows such as Top of the Pops, Mareinhof and Alarm Fur Cobra 11 – Die Autobahnpolizei, and since splitting from Ralf she has launched a profile on the adult platform OnlyFans.
The couple remained close after their split, with Ralf congratulating his ex-wife on joining the cast of the German version of I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here in January 2024.
The news of Ralf’s gay relationship comes nearly a decade after he split from ex-wife Cora Brinkman in 2015.
Cora, now 47, had her own racing career, driving in various categories and championships, and also built a separate career in show business as a model, television presenter and actress.
The 47-year-old former Playboy model also joined the adults-only platform OnlyFans.
Michael Schumacher is pictured with his brother Ralf in 2006
Michael Schumacher crashed into a rock in a freak skiing accident in the Alps in December 2013.
Ralf is no longer in close contact with Michael and his wife Corinna, but says he is always there to offer support.
Although Ralf had a remarkable F1 career of his own, his achievements were always overshadowed by those of his seven-time world champion brother Michael, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest drivers of all time.
The brothers had a close relationship throughout their careers, but Michael He has not been seen in public since He suffered a severe brain injury in a brutal skiing accident. in the French Alps in 2013.
That incident prompted the notoriously secretive Schumacher family to shield the ailing star from the world, with a select few people allowed to visit him on the condition that they not share details of his condition.
Ralf is no longer in close contact with Michael and his wife Corinna, but says he is always there to offer support.
“When I see his children Gina-Maria and Mick, my heart smiles,” Ralf shared with German magazine Bunte in November while detailing his distant relationship with the family.
“If someone in the family seeks my advice, I’m there. Everyone follows their own path.”
The former Formula 1 driver admitted: “I miss the old Michael. Life is unfair sometimes. Michael was very lucky throughout his life. But then this tragic accident happened.”
Ralf, who won six F1 Grands Prix, stressed that Michael had been more than just his older brother.
Speaking to local media, he said: “Michael was not only my brother. When we were kids, he was also my coach and mentor. He taught me literally everything about karting.”
Ralf said: “There may be a seven-year age difference, but he was always by my side. We raced together, practised overtaking manoeuvres and everything else that matters in motorsport.”
The former Jordan and Williams driver said: “He gave me everything that I had already internalised. I had the honour of learning from the best.”
Summing up Michael’s plight, Ralf added: “Fortunately, advanced medical science offers many opportunities. However, nothing is as it was before.”
