Ralf Schumacher’s son has congratulated his father after the former Formula One driver revealed his same-sex relationship to the world in a surprise social media post this weekend.
Ralf, a six-time Grand Prix winner and brother of seven-time world champion Michael, came out as gay in a social media post on Sunday, sharing an image of himself hugging his sales representative, a Frenchman named Etienne.
The 49-year-old wrote: “The most beautiful thing in life is when you have the right partner at your side with whom you can share everything,” a relationship that was later confirmed by their mutual friend and German actress Carmen Geiss.
The racing driver’s 22-year-old son, David, spoke out in full support of his father this morning, writing: ‘I’m so happy you’ve finally found someone you can truly feel comfortable and safe with.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re a man or a woman. I’m 100% with you, Dad, and I wish you all the best! Congratulations!”
The news of Ralf’s gay relationship comes nearly a decade after he split from his ex-wife and David’s mother, Cora Brinkman, in 2015.
The couple were married for 14 years, having tied the knot in 2001, months before David was born.
Former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher with his son David Schumacher
Ralf Schumacher is pictured with his son David Schumacher presenting their FIA Formula 4 car in 2018
The racing driver’s son, David, 22, this morning fully supported his father’s decision to reveal his gay relationship, writing: “I’m so happy you’ve finally found someone you can truly say you feel comfortable and safe with.”
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, months before David was born.
Ralf Schumacher is in a relationship with his sales representative, a close friend of the couple has revealed
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.’
The commercial manager is said to have met former Jordan, Williams and Toyota driver Ralf in Monaco.
David grew up karting alongside Michael Schumacher’s son Mick and competed in Formula 4 and Formula 3 before moving up to the DTM German Touring Car Championship.
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.
But while Ralf also maintains a close relationship with his son David, frequently attending his races where they are routinely photographed smiling together, German outlet BILD reported that David and Cora have had little to no contact since 2022.
Meanwhile, Etienne, Ralf’s sales representative turned romantic partner, 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 exactly 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.’
Ralf’s ex-wife, Cora Brinkman, 47, is a former Playboy model and racing driver.
Carmen Geiss, a mutual friend of the couple, confirmed the relationship on social media
Etienne is seen on a yacht in Monaco harbour during a F1 racing weekend
Etienne appears in a wine cellar in this image shared on social media.
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.
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.”