Ex-Formula One driver Ralf Schumacher has responded to criticism from Sebastian Vettel following his coming out as gay last year, calling Vettel’s comments "narrow-minded." The controversy began after Vettel, a four-time world champion, discussed Ralf's coming out and praised him as an important role model for the LGBTQ+ community.
In an interview with the Swiss newspaper Tagesanzeiger, Vettel was asked about Ralf's decision to publicly come out. Vettel commended Ralf, highlighting how rare it is for athletes to come out, especially in sports like motorsports.
"If we look at the statistics, many tennis and soccer players would be gay, but it's still very difficult to come out in sports and be accepted," Vettel said. He continued, emphasizing the importance of role models for those who find the courage to come out. "That’s why role models who have the courage to come out are so important."
Vettel also spoke about the challenges of being accepted in sports, noting how motorsport, in particular, is "still a world where old white men party on petrol," referencing the traditionally conservative nature of the sport.
Ralf, who came out publicly in July 2024, revealed his two-year relationship with Etienne Bousquet-Cassagne, a French business manager. However, Ralf disagreed with Vettel’s characterization of Formula 1, calling the remark about "old white men" inaccurate and “narrow-minded.”
Ralf Schumacher with Etienne Bousquet-Cassagne (@etn_cst Instagram)
On Instagram, Ralf wrote:
“Thank you for the appreciation, but I find the remark about old white men is completely wrong because it is not true. I find this wording very narrow-minded. For me, the outing was no problem and I was supported by the entire F1 community.”
Ralf’s response highlights how the sport, despite its old traditions, has shown him overwhelming support for his decision to come out.
In addition to Vettel's comments, Ralf faced criticism from Sergio Perez's father, Antonio Perez Garibay, who made negative remarks about Ralf’s sexuality in November 2024.
Garibay suggested that Ralf’s coming out was related to a personal vendetta against his son, claiming, "There is a driver who was a Formula 1 driver, [turned] journalist... the following week, [Schumacher] came out of the closet."
Ralf responded to Garibay’s comments by posting on Instagram, stating:
“That is what you do as a father. As for the style, I would be different, but we know Mr. Perez with all his emotions. That is why I am not angry with him. However, I believe that results on the track would be the better argument.”
Further complicating the issue, Ralf’s ex-wife, Cora Schumacher, shared her feelings about their marriage and the news of Ralf’s sexuality. She stated that she felt "used" and that she had "wasted her best years" after discovering his sexuality.
Cora and Ralf
She also claimed that she was unaware of Ralf’s relationship with Bousquet-Cassagne until she saw it on social media.
In response, Ralf maintained that he had always been faithful to Cora and emphasized that if he had wanted a child, he could have achieved this by other means. He also noted that it was only Cora who seemed to have a problem with his relationship update.
Cora Schumacher and Ralf Schumacher were married for about 14 years. They tied the knot in 2001 and separated in 2015. Their divorce was finalized in 2015.
