Ralf Schumacher has stoked the flames between him and his ex-wife by calling her a “liar” and leaking WhatsApp messages in which she congratulated his new partner.
Cora Schumacher stunned viewers last weekend with her statements when she claimed she had “wasted” 14 years of marriage to a man who came out as gay in July.
Former Formula 1 driver Ralf announced last month that he is in a relationship with his French manager Etienne. Cora told Der Spiegel that she was unaware of this and felt ‘stabbed in the heart’.
Now Ralf has published screenshots of an alleged exchange from last year, in which Cora congratulates Etienne on their union. This shows that Cora knew about it all along. She calls this action ‘pathetic’ and ‘illegal’.
In the messages, Cora appears to say “congratulations” and “so happy for you both,” while telling Etienne that she was told he married Ralf because they wore rings on their right hands.
Ralf Schumacher, pictured with his partner Etienne, has called his ex-wife Cora Schumacher a liar after she spoke out about her betrayal and the shock of his relationship
Cora said she felt “stabbed in the heart” when Ralf announced last month that he was gay
Now Ralf has published WhatsApp messages in which Cora allegedly congratulates Etienne after she thought they were married, in an attempt to debunk her shock
Ralf and Cora were married for 14 years and had a son. She claimed that she felt ‘used’ by him.
Ralf’s French partner Etienne is seen on a yacht in Monaco harbour during a Formula 1 race weekend
In what feels like an awkward conversation, Etienne dismisses her, saying that in France, people wear their rings on their left side after they get married.
The conversation ends on a positive note when Cora says, “I’m happy for you” – the opposite of her opinion in the Der Spiegel interview – while Etienne says, “Thank you, Cora.”
Ralf posted a screenshot of the conversation on WhatsApp as proof that Cora was dishonest about her shock and sadness over his relationship with Etienne.
“After all the back and forth, I just want to make it clear that Cora congratulated us in September 2023 because she thought we were married,” he wrote in the Instagram post.
“As you can see from this message to Etienne personally. I find it a disgrace for Etienne and me that she spreads so many lies. We both just want to be left alone.”
Cora was furious when she found old WhatsApp messages. She responded and called the measure ‘pathetic’ and ‘illegal’.
Cora, 47, a former model and racing driver, was married to Ralf between 2001 and 2015 and together they have a son, David, 22, who is also a racing driver.
Ralf 49 has been with Etienne, whom they met in Monaco, for two years, according to Carmen Geiss, an actress and close friend of the couple. He is the brother of Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher and his son David has previously expressed his support for the relationship.
Six-time Grand Prix winner Ralf raced between 1997 and 2007. Pictured with legendary brother Michael, left
Cora wonders if Ralf ever really loved her and said she felt ‘stabbed in the heart’ after his message last month
‘The best thing in life is when you have the right partner by your side with whom you can share everything’
Cora is a former GQ cover star and is still a major TV personality in Germany
“How pathetic does someone have to be to illegally publish private messages on WhatsApp to hide the truth?” Cora wrote on Instagram.
“And you’ve been suing me for ten years. You claim that I’m not protecting your personal rights, while you blatantly violate mine. Instead of just walking up to me and telling me the truth at least now.”
Cora claims that Ralf had only introduced Etienne as an assistant, not as a boyfriend. She added: ‘The WhatsApp was my last attempt to at least get the truth from him.’
TV star Cora burst into tears last week when she told Der Spiegel about her grief over Ralf’s homosexual revelation. She claimed that she had been psychologically manipulated by Ralf, who drove in Formula 1 between 1997 and 2007.
“I wish Ralf had involved me or at least made me part of his decision. That would have been a sign of respect,” she told Der Spiegel.
‘During his career in Formula 1 there were many rumours in the paddock. I asked him to clarify whether what was said was true, but he always denied it and said that I was imagining everything and that I might need psychological help.
“When he announced it, it was like a stab in the heart. Coming out always affects the people around you, including the ex-wife you had a child with.
‘Today I feel used in the marriage. I feel like I wasted my best years. I ask myself a lot of questions. Was he honest with me?
The 47-year-old had her own racing career (left) in which she competed in several championships, was a former Playboy model and recently joined the adult platform OnlyFans
Their son David Schumacher, right, also a racing driver, spoke out in support of his father when he came out as gay
Etienne and Ralf met a few years ago in Monaco, according to the couple’s friend
‘And there is something more important that is haunting my mind: did he love me? I trusted him implicitly and therefore his word was law to me.
“I feel compelled to improve my public image, just as Mr. Schumacher has the right to come out. Has he even thought about the consequences for me?”
The two were still thought to be close, as he congratulated her in January on joining the cast of the German version of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!
She is a German actress, former GQ cover star, former racing driver and TV presenter and is also active on the adult platform Only Fans.
Inspired by Ralf, Cora even started competing. Between 2004 and 2018 she raced, with the highlight being the victory in the 24 Hours of Dubai in the A2 class.
When Ralf announced last month that he was gay and shared a photo of him and Etienne, he wrote: ‘The best thing in life is when you have the right partner by your side with whom you can share everything.’
About the toxic feelings that bubbled up between them, Ralf said last weekend that it did not burden him. “Certainly not for me, no,” he told RTL.
David said he is “100 percent behind” his father following the announcement
Ralf (center) had a long career in Formula 1, racing for Jordan, Williams and Toyota
His son David had previously expressed his support for him: ‘I’m so happy that you’ve finally found someone with whom you feel truly comfortable and safe, whether it’s a man or a woman.
“I’m behind you 100 percent, Dad, and I wish you the best and congratulations.”