Ralf Schumacher 'always denied rumours he was gay' as ex-mother-in-law wades in on family row
Ralf Schumacher and his ex-wife Cora Schumacher are currently involved in a public row
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Ralf Schumacher's ex-mother-in-law has broken her silence on the current row between the F1 star and his former wife, Cora.
Cora said over the weekend that she 'felt used' and had 'wasted her best years' following the German's recent announcement that he was in a relationship with a man.
Cora, who was married to Schumacher for 14 years, also said she found out on social media like the rest of the world.
Schumacher has since furiously hit back, saying earlier this week that his ex-partner was 'telling lies'.
Ralf Schumacher and his ex-wife Cora Schumacher are currently involved in a public row
He leaked WhatsApp messages that appear to show Cora congratulating his boyfriend, Etienne, on their relationship at the time.
Cora's mother, Ingrid Brinkmann, has now given her side of the story to BILD.
She backs her daughter, insisting she feels 'sorry' for her after Schumacher's decision to leak private messages.
Brinkmann also says Schumacher always 'denied the rumours' about his sexuality, too
"I feel sorry for Cora, how she is now being insulted in public and portrayed as a liar," she said.
"I talked to Ralf and asked him why there was always trouble.
"He sat opposite me and said: 'Ingrid, I'm telling you, I'm definitely not gay. Those are just rumours.'"
Schumacher and Cora have a son named David together.
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Brinkmann says he was born naturally and conceived 'without artificial insemination'.
"Cora married Ralf out of love. Ralf also told us that he loves Cora," she said.
"Of course he slept with Cora.
"That's why we all thought it was a nasty rumour that Ralf was gay."
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Ralf Schumacher recently accused his former wife Cora of 'spreading lies'
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Over the weekend, meanwhile, Cora said that finding out her ex-husband was gay was like a 'stab in the heart.'
Like her mother, she has accused Schumacher of lying to the family about his sexuality during their years together.
"I wish Ralf had included me or at least let me be part of his decision. It would have been a sign of respect," she told Der Spiegel.
"During his career in F1, there were many rumours in the paddock.
Ralf Schumacher announced he was in a relationship with a man earlier this summer
"I asked him to clarify if what was being said was true, but he always denied it, telling me that I was imagining everything and that maybe I needed psychological help.
"When he announced it, it was like a stab in the heart.
"Coming out always affects those around you, including the ex-wife with whom you had a child.
"Today I feel used during the marriage. I feel like I've wasted my best years.
"I ask myself many questions. Was he honest with me? And there's something even more important that's on my mind: did he love me? I trusted him blindly and that's why his word was law for me."