Ralf Schumacher’s ex-wife insists she will keep his famous surname despite their ongoing row after he came out as gay.
Schumacher, the younger brother of seven-time world champion Michael and a six-time Formula One race winner himself, revealed he was gay in July after sharing an Instagram post of himself alongside his new partner, French business manager Etienne.
Cora Schumacher, who was married to Ralf for 14 years and have a son called David together, said she ‘felt used’ and as though she had ‘wasted her best years’ following the announcement.
BILD reported that Ralf wanted Cora to drop her famous surname in the aftermath of their row.
However, she has vowed in a story on her Instagram account to her 460,000 followers, that she will keep the Schumacher name.
Cora Schumacher has vowed to keep her famous surname despite her bitter row with ex-husband Ralf
Cora was married to former Formula One star Ralf between 2001 and 2015
Ralf (left) revealed he was gay in July after sharing an Instagram post of himself alongside his new partner, French business manager Etienne (right)
As translated by the German publication, she said: ‘I’m feeling a little better again.
‘Even though it would make many people happy, no, I haven’t lost my smile. And I will wait – wait, let me think – keep my name. Especially now.’
Cora, whose maiden name is Brinkmann, added: ‘I actually intended to give up this name (Schumacher).
‘But no. It has cost me enough pain and sorrow. Cora Schumacher is my brand, which I built up independently on my own.’
Cora, last month claimed that she found out Ralf was gay over social media and believes she was psychologically manipulated by Schumacher during their marriage.
‘I wish Ralf had included me or at least let me be part of his decision. It would have been a sign of respect,’ she told Der Spiegel, via Marca.
‘During his career in F1, there were many rumours in the paddock. I asked him to clarify if what was being said was true, but he always denied it, telling me that I was imagining everything and that maybe I 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.
Six-time race winner Ralf raced between 1997 and 2007 (pictured with brother Michael)
She is a former GQ cover star and is still a big television personality in Germany
Ralf’s son David (above) said that he is ‘100 per cent behind’ his father after the announcement
‘Today I feel used during the marriage. I feel like I’ve wasted my best years. I ask myself many questions. Was he honest with me?
‘And there’s something even more important that’s on my mind: did he love me? I trusted him blindly and that’s why his word was law for me.’
Ralf Schumacher, 49, has been with Etienne for two years having met in Monaco, according to Carmen Geiss, an actress and close friend of the couple.
Ralf and Cora were still believed to be close as 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 Only Fans.
In October 2003, she featured on the cover of the German edition of GQ before turning her attention to racing.
Cora and Ralf were believed to still be close after he congratulated her on joining the cast of the German version of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in January
Influenced by her husband, she made her racing debut in 2004 as part of the celebrity team in the Mini Challenge in Germany, qualifying 22nd out of 24 for her first race.
From there she went on to more competitive racing and enjoyed 14 years of it until she hung up her wheel in 2018.
Their son, David, 22, shared his support for his father on social media when he revealed he was homosexual.
‘I am very happy that you have finally found someone with whom you really feel that you feel very comfortable and secure, no matter if they are a man or a woman,’ he wrote.
‘I am 100 per cent behind you dad and wish you all the best and congratulations.’
