Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher, the younger brother of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, has announced that he is gay.
On Sunday evening, Schumacher uploaded a photo to Instagram of himself with his arms around his partner Etienne as they both looked out towards the sunset.
He accompanied the photo with the message: ‘The most beautiful thing in life is when you have the right partner by your side with whom you can share everything.’
During his F1 career, the 49-year-old had six Grand Prix wins and retired in 2007.
He was previously married to Cora for 14 years before their divorce in 2015. Together, they had a son David, 22, who is now a racing driver.
‘I am very happy that you have finally found someone with whom you really feel that you feel very comfortable and secure,’ David Schumacher wrote on Instagram.
‘I am 100 per cent behind you dad and wish you all the best and congratulations.’
German actress Carmen Geiss, who is a close friend of Schumacher, posted her own tribute on Instagram.
‘Today he confessed his homosexuality,’ she said of Ralf.
‘This step was an act of liberation and self-acceptance for him. It was a courageous decision that has matured in him for a long time and one he is now full of pride and confidence.
‘His outing is not only a personal triumph but a sign that he is finally able to live and love his true identity without fear or shame.’
The only other known male gay driver in F1 was Mike Beuttler, who raced from 1971 to 1973 and died in 1988.
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