David Schumacher applauds Coming-out of his father
Completely surprising, Ralf Schumacher made his relationship with a man public during the EURO Final. His son David provided him with particular support. "I stand behind you 100% whether man or woman," writes the young race car driver.
Ralf Schumacher made his love for a man public through an Instagram post and became one of the rare former or current stars from the sports world to come out as non-heterosexual. The former Formula 1 pilot's move caused a great deal of attention during the UEFA European Championship final on Sunday evening. Thousands of comments accumulated under his Instagram photo, in which he is shown with his partner.
David Schumacher, the only child from Ralf Schumacher's marriage to ex-model Cora Schumacher, also commented on his father's coming-out: "I'm very happy that you've finally found someone with whom you really feel safe and comfortable," writes David Schumacher under his father's post. "Whether man or woman, I stand behind you 100%, Papa, and wish you all the best and a heartfelt congratulations."
Hardly any top athlete has come out
David Schumacher is the only child from Ralf Schumacher's marriage to Cora Schumacher. They married in 2001, the same year their son David was born. Cora and Ralf Schumacher have been living apart since 2009, but the divorce was not finalized until 2015.
Ralf Schumacher, who competed in 180 races in Formula 1 and won six of them, is one of the rare former or current German top athletes who have come out publicly. The most prominent among them is the former German football national team player Thomas Hitzlsperger. The third-place finisher at the 2006 World Cup came out in 2014, a year after his retirement.
David Schumacher could not follow exactly in his father's footsteps. The 23-year-old was unable to make it into the top class, like his father Ralf and his uncle and record world champion Michael. He currently competes in the ADAC GT Masters, and with his partner Salman Owega, he secured his first victory in the series at the Nürburgring on the previous Saturday. A few hours before his father's coming-out, he added another victory to his tally.
Ralf Schumacher's love life beyond Formula 1 became a topic of entertainment when he publicly acknowledged his relationship with a man during the EURO Final. Despite the divisive nature of homosexuality in some parts of the sports world, David Schumacher, his son, showed unwavering support, stating, "I stand behind you 100%, Papa, whether man or woman, and wish you all the best."
The public revelation by Ralf Schumacher, a prominent figure in Formula 1, about his non-heterosexuality, is a significant milestone in the realm of sports entertainment. His courage to come out in an industry often criticized for its lack of diversity in this regard, serves as an inspiration for fellow athletes who may be struggling with their own identities.
