Ralf Schumacher is in a relationship with his business manager, a close friend of the pair has revealed, hours after the former Formula One driver and brother of seven-time world champion Michael came out as gay in a social media post on Sunday.

Ralf, 49, shared an image of himself and another man with their arms around each other watching a sunset over the ocean accompanied by a touching message that read: ‘The most beautiful thing in life is when you have the right partner by your side with whom you can share everything.’

The surprise announcement from the former driver turned entrepreneur and pundit was met with a torrent of congratulations and well-wishes from fans and members of the motorsport community.

 

But German actress Carmen Geiss, a close friend of the couple, revealed that Ralf had already been in a relationship for two years, and named his partner as Etienne – a Frenchman who was working as Ralf’s business manager when they fell in love.

‘They met in Monaco. Ralf lives in Salzburg with his son, Etienne lives in Nice. But the two are together quite often,’ Geiss said, adding the pair are ‘sensationally happy’ and have ‘never had an argument or dispute’.

Ralf Schumacher is in a relationship with his business manager, a close friend of the pair has revealed
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Ralf Schumacher is in a relationship with his business manager, a close friend of the pair has revealed

Etienne is seen on a yacht in Monaco harbour over an F1 race weekend
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Etienne is seen on a yacht in Monaco harbour over an F1 race weekend

Geiss, 59, told that she and her husband Robert are frequently invited to visit Ralf and Etienne ever since their loving relationship began some two years ago
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Geiss, 59, told that she and her husband Robert are frequently invited to visit Ralf and Etienne ever since their loving relationship began some two years ago

The business manager is said to have met former Jordan, Williams and Toyota driver Ralf in Monaco
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The business manager is said to have met former Jordan, Williams and Toyota driver Ralf in Monaco


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Ralf, 49, shared an image of himself and another man with their arms around each other accompanied by a touching message that read: 'The most beautiful thing in life is when you have the right partner by your side with whom you can share everything'

Ralf, 49, shared an image of himself and another man with their arms around each other accompanied by a touching message that read: ‘The most beautiful thing in life is when you have the right partner by your side with whom you can share everything’

Etienne is pictured in a winery in this image shared to social media
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Etienne is pictured in a winery in this image shared to social media