Ralf Schumacher's ex-wife says she 'feels used' and 'wasted her best years' after he came out as gay

Cora and Schumacher were married for 14 years before they split in 2015, with the pair having one child together.

Cora has revealed she found out about her ex-husband being gay on social media.

And this, she says, made it even tougher.

"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.

"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.

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"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."

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Schumacher and Etienne have been together for two years, having previously met in Monaco.

The former F1 star's son, David, expressed support for his father when he came out as gay earlier in the year.

"I am very happy that you have finally found someone with whom you really feel that you feel very comfortable and secure, no matter if they are a man or a woman," the 22-year-old wrote on social media.

"I am 100 per cent behind you dad and wish you all the best and congratulations."

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Lewis Hamilton also sent a message of support to Schumacher, while also saying F1 has a 'long way to go' to improve inclusivity.

"I think clearly he's not felt comfortable being able to say it in the past and it's definitely not a new thing," he said.

"But I think it just shows that we are in a time that finally you can take that step and don't have to fear

"Hopefully he will be able to say that. I think so far [he has] had only positive feedback from people, and I think that's because of the time we're living in and the change we are.

"And that all started from Seb and I standing on the grid here, fighting against what the government's doing here, and when I was wearing the helmet in Saudi and Qatar.

"You know, even though Ralf said that it wasn't a good idea to do those things perhaps, today, he may have shifted his mind.

"Even him taking that step sends such a positive message and liberates others to be able to do the same.

"We need more and more people to do that."