Ralf Schumacher reportedly introduced teammate Etienne Bousquet-Cassagne to his ex-wife Cora a year before publicly revealing their relationship to the world, but did so by referring to the Frenchman as his “assistant”, according to German media.
The Formula One superstar’s brother Michael came out as gay last month after sharing a post on social media showing him hugging Bousquet-Cassagne, who had been working as Schumacher’s sales representative.
Alongside a photo of the couple, Schumacher captioned the image: ‘The most beautiful thing in life is when you have the right partner by your side with whom you can share everything.’
Days after the public announcement, which was met with well-wishes and congratulations from the motorsport world and beyond, Cora shared a cryptic post on his own social media page.
The TV personality, who divorced Schumacher in 2015, posted a photo of herself in a wedding dress crying, with the caption: “Tears reveal more than words.”
Ralf Schumacher (foreground) publicly shared his relationship with Etienne Bousquet-Cassagne in July
Formula One expert and brother of superstar Michael posted a photo on his Instagram.
Days later, his ex-wife Cora shared a cryptic image of herself as a bride crying after the public announcement.
But rather than being totally surprised by Schumacher’s announcement, the German news site IMAGE revealed that Cora has known Bousquet-Cassagne for more than a year, after an alleged indirect introduction.
Sources close to the former model and racing driver shared with the outlet that she had been told Bousquet-Cassagne was her ex-husband’s assistant when she first met him.
However, a former friend of Cora’s, Joerg Kunze, shared with the outlet that she and Bousquet-Cassagne had met in St Tropez in the south of France in April 2023, where Kunze was also present, and that after the holiday, it was “clear” that Schumacher and Bousquet-Cassagne were a “couple.”
In the images shared on Kunze’s Instagram profile, Cora and Bousquet-Cassagne are seen enjoying each other’s company, having lunch and sampling local watermelon, during a vacation that Kunze described as “a lot of fun.”
Sources close to Schumacher told BILD that Cora was well aware of their relationship and was happy for the couple.
Cora and Bousquet-Cassagne (right) are believed to have first met in Saint Tropez in April 2023.
The couple spent time on the French Riviera with Cora’s friend Jorg Kunze (pictured left) during a group holiday at Schumacher’s home.
In the images shared on Kunze’s Instagram, Cora is seen apparently becoming fast friends with the Frenchman.
“We were with Etienne in St. Tropez, Cora got along really well with him, he’s an incredibly nice person,” Kunze added in conversation with the publication. “We went to the beach club, went shopping, ate out or spent a nice day at the pool.
“It was great. We had a great time.”
Following Schumacher’s Instagram post, the relationship was confirmed by the couple’s friend, German actress Carmen Geiss, who revealed that Schumacher and Bousquet-Cassagne have been a couple for two years.
Schumacher’s son David was also delighted with his ex-wife, sharing a supportive comment under the photo.
“I’m so happy that you’ve finally found someone you can truly feel comfortable and safe with,” the young racing driver wrote on Instagram.
Schumacher and Bousquet-Cassagne’s relationship was confirmed by the couple’s mutual friend, Carmen Geiss.
Schumacher and Cora were married for 14 years before divorcing more than a decade ago.
The former model and racing driver is now a television personality in her native Germany.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s a boy or a girl. I support you 100%, Dad, and I wish you all the best! Congratulations!”
Schumacher and Cora were married for 14 years, having tied the knot in 2001, months before David was born.
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 Schumacher has launched a profile on the adult platform OnlyFans.