Ralf Schumacher’s new partner has revealed he is “disappointed” with the former Formula One star’s heartbroken ex-wife after she claimed she was unaware of their relationship or her husband’s homosexuality.
The former Williams driver, brother of seven-time world champion Michael, came out as gay in July, posting a photo of himself and his French sales representative Etienne Bousquet-Cassagne standing arm in arm on a boat.
Immediately after the announcement, Schumacher, 49, received a flood of positive messages, including from her close friend, German actress Carmen Geiss.
But comments made by his ex-wife Cora a few weeks later sparked a bitter row between the former couple after the model and former racer said she “felt used” and had “wasted her best years” – and that she had not been told about Ralf and Etienne’s relationship.
The sporting icon’s new partner has now strongly denied the allegations and admitted he is “disappointed” with the comments, in an interview with Right-right.
Ralf Schumacher (left) pictured with his partner Etienne (right), his French sales representative whom he met in Monaco
Ralf Schumacher’s ex-wife Cora (left) said she “feels used” after her ex-husband came out as gay in July.
Following the announcement, Schumacher, 49, received an outpouring of positive messages.
He said: ‘I thought we had a good connection with Cora. When she arrived, she asked me: ‘Are you sleeping together?’
I said, “Yeah, sure. We’re together. We’re a couple.”
“And she was happy for us. That was good, it was great, a great week with Cora.”
“That’s why I’m disappointed now.”
Cora claimed in August that she found out about the relationship through social media and believes Ralf manipulated her psychologically during their marriage.
“I would have liked Ralf to have included me or at least let me be part of his decision. It would have been a sign of respect,” he told Der Spiegel, according to Marca.
‘During his F1 career there were a lot of rumours in the paddock. I asked him to clarify if what was being said was true, but he always denied it, telling me that he imagined it all and that perhaps he 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.
Etienne said: ‘I thought we had a good connection with Cora. When she arrived, she asked me: ‘Are you sleeping together?’
Cora said in August that she found out about the relationship through social media.
She is a former GQ cover star and remains a huge TV personality in Germany.
Cora wonders if her now ex-husband really loved her and feels ‘stabbed in the heart’
‘Today I feel used during the marriage. I feel like I wasted my best years. I ask myself many questions. Was he honest with me?
“And there’s something even more important that worries me: did he love me? I trusted him blindly and that’s why his word was law for me.”
Ralf responded to his ex-wife’s comments, insisting that he had always been faithful to Cora, 47, and that if he had wanted a child he could have achieved one through other means than marriage.
She added that she seemed to be the only person who disagreed with the update on their relationship.
According to Geiss, Ralf has been with Etienne, 34, for two years, whom he met in Monaco.
Cora, 47, married Schumacher in 2001 and was with him for 14 years.
The pair were believed to still be close when he congratulated her on joining the cast of the German version of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in January.
She is a German actress, model, former racing driver and television presenter and is also on the adult platform OnlyFans.
In October 2003, he appeared on the cover of the German edition of GQ before turning his attention to racing.
Cora and Ralf married in 2001, had a son that year, and were together for 14 years.
Ralf, a six-time Grand Prix winner, competed between 1997 and 2007. He is pictured with his legendary brother Michael, left.
Ralf pictured with Michael (right) after winning the Canadian Grand Prix in 2001
Ralf’s son David (above) said he is “100 percent behind” his father after the announcement.
Influenced by her husband, she made her racing debut in 2004 as part of the celebrity team at the Mini Challenge in Germany, qualifying 22nd out of 24 for her first race.
From there he moved on to more competitive races and enjoyed them for 14 years until he hung up his boots in 2018.
Etienne also detailed his concerns about Ralf’s decision to come out as gay, but added that he supported his partner throughout and that he “loves everything” about the former F1 racer.