Hamilton praised Ralf Schumacher's coming-out, but .
Ralf Schumacher's Photo with His Partner Receives Much Attention - Ex-Formula 1 Driver Receives Much Recognition for His Coming-out. Lewis Hamilton, Formula 1 Record World Champion, supports Schumacher's step of making his relationship with a man public in Formula 1. However, he also emphasizes that the Formula 1 community should do much more.
Lewis Hamilton considers Ralf Schumacher's move to publicly acknowledge his relationship with a man as a "positive message" for Formula 1. The renowned champion for equality and diversity in Formula 1 urged that the Formula 1 community still has a long way to go.
"It's one thing to say something is inclusive, but it's another to create an environment where those affected feel free and comfortable," Hamilton stated. Formula 1 is a space dominated by men, he added. "We can do so much more."
Ralf Schumacher, 49, showed an arm in arm picture with a man on Instagram. He wrote, "The best thing in life is when you have the right partner by your side, with whom you can share everything."
Schumacher and his partner Etienne have been overwhelmed by the many positive reactions. "Ralf & Etienne are overwhelmed by the many wonderful, worldwide responses, we hadn't expected that," a family spokesperson explained. Negative comments were criticized by fellow German driver Nico Hülkenberg in Budapest: "There's always hate in the world and especially online where people remain anonymous. That's not cool."
Remembering the Protest of Vettel and Hamilton in Hungary
Among the current Formula 1 drivers, Hamilton and Fernando Alonso were among those who raced against Ralf Schumacher, and their reactions were uniformly positive. "Total support from me, and I'm sure the entire Formula 1 community feels the same," the two-time World Champion Alonso from Spain stated. Schumacher will be in action as an expert for Sky this weekend at the Hungarian Grand Prix, with RTL also broadcasting the qualification (Saturday, 4 pm) and the race (Sunday, 3 pm) live.
However, Hamilton emphasized that there is still a long way to go for Formula 1. Around the topic of diversity, there is a history at the Hungaroring. In 2021, Hamilton and the four-time World Champion Sebastian Vettel protested against a planned referendum against the rights of non-heterosexual people in Hungary. It is unacceptable, cowardly, and misleading for the powers-that-be to propose such a law, Hamilton had emphasized at the time.
Vettel wore a rainbow-colored T-shirt for the protest to show solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community, a group of people with various identities and sexual orientations. Vettel was warned for the action before the playing of the national anthem. "It all started when Seb and I stood on the grid and fought against the government," Hamilton said now.
Ralf Schumacher's act of publicly displaying his relationship with a man in Formula 1 has inspired support from another renowned figure in the sport, Sebastian Vettel. Addressing the issue of homosexuality in Formula 1, Vettel had previously worn a rainbow-colored T-shirt as a symbol of solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community, showing his commitment to promoting equality and acceptance.
