Ralf Schumacher's former wife has expressed her pain following the ex-Formula 1 driver's public revelation about his sexuality.
Ralf, who has won six Grand Prix titles and is 49 years old, was married to Cora Brinkmann from 2001 until 2015. Together, they have a son, 22-year-old David, who is also a racing driver.
Over the past weekend, Ralf and his son David clinched a victory in the Prototype Cup Germany race at the Nurburgring. "David did the main job," a beaming Ralf Schumacher shared.
However, amid these celebrations, Cora revealed to Der Spiegel magazine how unexpected Ralf's announcement that he is gay was for her.
"I just wish Ralf had involved me or at least made me aware of his decision," Cora, aged 47, expressed. "It would have been a sign of respect."
"During his career, there were many rumours in the paddock," she elaborated. "I asked him for clarification but he always denied it, telling me that I was imagining everything and that I was the one who needed psychological help. The rumours only got worse over the years, making me feel more and more torn. I no longer knew if my head was playing tricks on me. But Ralf was always my most important advisor. I trusted him blindly. His word was my law."
When questioned about what she wished Ralf had communicated to her before making his sexuality public, the former Mrs. Schumacher responded: "He could have said 'Be careful, Cora. I'm sorry'. Or 'I didn't know how to tell you this'. Or 'I really did love you."
"But I got nothing. It was a stab in the heart," Cora lamented. "Coming out always affects the people around you, including your ex-wife with whom you had a child. Right now, I feel like I was used during the marriage - robbed of my best years. Was he honest with me? And most importantly, did he love me?"
