The mother of Ralf Schumacher’s ex-wife Cora has become embroiled in a spat between the former spouses in which the racing superstar’s brother Michael branded his ex-partner a “liar” for claiming she did not know he was gay.
Schumacher came out publicly via Instagram in July, sharing a photo of himself with partner Etienne Bousquet-Cassagne with the caption: ‘The most beautiful thing in life is when you have the right partner by your side with whom you can share everything.’
Cora, who split from Schumacher in 2015, later claimed she was taken by surprise by the revelation and admitted in an interview that she “felt used” by her ex-husband.
In retaliation, Schumacher on Monday posted screenshots of an alleged conversation between Cora and Bousquet-Cassagne that appear to show the former model and racing driver telling him she is “very happy” for the Frenchman and his ex-wife.
Cora later called Schumacher’s revelation “pathetic” and “illegal”, adding that WhatsApp had been “her last attempt to at least find out the truth from him”.
Cora Schumacher’s mother (pictured) has intervened in her daughter’s bitter dispute with her ex-husband Ralf
The former Formula One driver (left) announced he was gay and in a relationship with Etienne Bousquet-Cassagne (right) on Instagram last month.
Ingrid Brinkmann (second from left) echoed her daughter’s claims that she did not know her ex-partner was gay.
The latest voice to speak out about the escalating family feud is one close to home: Cora’s mother, Ingrid Brinkmann, who has backed her daughter’s claims that she did not know about her ex-husband’s sexuality before the public announcement.
“I feel sorry for Cora, how she is now being insulted in public and portrayed as a liar,” Brinkmann said. IMAGEreferring to Schumacher’s comments accompanying the leaked WhatsApp messages. “He always denied the rumours to us.”
The 70-year-old’s mention of “rumours” echoes her daughter’s interview over the weekend, in which Cora revealed there were “a lot of rumours in the paddock” about Schumacher’s sexuality during his Formula One career.
“I asked him to clarify if what he was saying was true, but he always denied it,” Cora said of the former Williams and Toyota driver, “telling me that I was imagining it all and that maybe I needed psychological help.”
Brinkmann recalled the time: “I spoke to Ralf and asked him why there were always problems. He sat down in front of me and said: ‘Ingrid, I assure you, I am definitely not gay. Those are just rumours.'”
Cora said she felt like her life had been “wasted” during her marriage to Schumacher.
Schumacher posted WhatsApp messages in which Cora allegedly congratulated Etienne
Ralf’s French partner Etienne is seen on a yacht in Monaco harbour during an F1 race weekend.
Brinkmann also claimed there were strong ties between her daughter and her ex-husband, whom she married in 2001.
Cora often told her mother “how much she was in love,” Brinkmann continued, adding: “Cora married Ralf for love.
‘Ralf also told us that he loves Cora.’
Sharing details about the couple’s marriage, Brinkmann continued: “Of course he slept with Cora. That’s why we all thought it was a nasty rumour that Ralf was gay.”
The former spouses share a son, David, who Brinkmann said was conceived “without artificial insemination” and “quickly” after the couple’s nuptials.
Schumacher remains in a relationship with the 22-year-old, who publicly congratulated her father after coming out.
On the contrary, it is believed that David and Cora were estranged for some time.
Cora has questioned whether he really loved her and shared that she feels “stabbed in the heart” in a new interview.
The former spouses were married from 2001 to 2014 and share a 22-year-old son, David.
Referring to the end of Schumacher’s relationship with his daughter, Brinkmann said Cora had “fought for Ralf” but finally agreed to their divorce nine years ago.
“Ralf Schumacher doesn’t let anyone or anything tell him what to do,” Brinkman concluded.
Schumacher and Bousquet-Cassagne have been together for two years after meeting in Monaco, according to a close friend of the couple, Carmen Geiss.
Cora is said to have previously been on holiday with her ex-husband and Bousquet-Cassagne according to a former friend, but the former model remains adamant that she was only introduced to her ex-husband’s new partner in a professional setting.