The former Formula One driver Ralf Schumacher has come out as gay, becoming the most high-profile driver in the sport’s history to do so. Schumacher, brother of the seven-time world champion Michael, made the announcement on social media.
Schumacher made the announcement on Instagram on Sunday night with a picture of himself and his French business manager, Etienne, watching a sunset with their arms around one another. “The most beautiful thing in life is when you have the right partner by your side with whom you can share everything.”
Schumacher did not make any explicit statement but confirmation came from comments made by his friend, the German actor Carmen Geiss, on her post. “I want to tell you about a person who plays a very special role in my life. For many years I have known and love him infinitely,” she wrote.
“Today he confessed his homosexuality. 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.”
The 49-year-old German drove for Jordan, Williams and Toyota in 180 F1 races between 1997 and 2007, taking six wins and 27 podiums. Schumacher’s decision is significant in that it demonstrates the extent to which motorsport is becoming more accepting and diverse, something F1 has made a concerted effort to improve in recent years.
Only two other F1 drivers have come out as gay since the championship began in 1950. Mike Beuttler, who drove in F1 between 1971 and 1973 and Lella Lombardi, the Italian woman who entered 17 races between 1974 and 1976 and remains the only woman to have scored points in the championship. Lombardi identified as a lesbian and was in a long-term relationship.
Motor racing also now has the organisation Racing Pride working to promote LGBTQ+ inclusivity and equality across the sport and the broader industry, which was founded in 2019 and has received support from drivers, F1 teams and organisations such as the British Automobile Racing Club.
In other motor racing disciplines increasing numbers of drivers have come out openly. Former W Series drivers Sarah Moore, Abbie Eaton and Jess Hawkins have done so. Moore and Eaton are ambassadors for Racing Pride as is the transgender driver Charlie Martin, who told the Guardian in 2019 how important it was for her to publicly promote inclusivity within the sport.
“Me being there visible as a trans woman, a lot of good can come of that. I feel it is almost a responsibility. Anything else would feel like a dereliction of duty,” she said.
Mário Manuel Veloso de Araújo Cabral, who participated in five Formula One grands prix, and who died aged 86 in 2020, came out as bisexual when he was 75 years old.
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The most high-profile driver to have come out was Hurley Haywood. The American won the Le Mans 24 Hours three times and the Daytona 24 Hours five times and is considered to be one of the great sports car drivers.
The 76-year-old competed between 1971 and 2012 and came out publicly as gay in 2018. Hurley admitted he had been afraid to do so beforehand for fear it would have adversely affected his career while he was racing.