Ralf Schumacher's heartbroken ex-wife says she will KEEP his famous surname despite him, despite it causing her 'pain' after she 'wasted her best years' before he came out as gay

Ralf Schumacher's ex-wife insists on keeping his famous surname despite the ongoing dispute between the two after he came out as gay.

Schumacher, the younger brother of seven-time world champion Michael and a six-time Formula One winner himself, announced his homosexuality in July after publishing an Instagram post of himself with his new partner, French businessman Etienne.

Cora Schumacher, who was married to Ralf for 14 years and has a son named David with him, said she felt “exploited” after the announcement and as if she had “wasted her best years”.

BILD reported that after the argument, Ralf demanded that Cora give up her famous surname.

However, in a story on her Instagram account, she swore to her 460,000 followers that she would keep the name Schumacher.

Cora Schumacher has vowed to keep her famous surname despite her bitter dispute with ex-husband Ralf

Cora was married to former Formula 1 star Ralf from 2001 to 2015

Ralf (left) announced he is gay in July after sharing an Instagram post of himself with his new partner, French business manager Etienne (right).

In the translation of the German publication, she said: “I’m feeling a little better again.”

“Even though it would make a lot of people happy, no, I haven't lost my smile. And I will wait – wait, let me think – keep my name. Especially now.”

Cora, whose maiden name is Brinkmann, added: “Actually, I was planning to give up this name (Schumacher).”

“But no. It has already cost me enough pain and suffering. Cora Schumacher is my brand, which I built independently and on my own.”

Cora claimed last month that she found out Ralf is gay through social media and believes she was psychologically manipulated by Schumacher during their marriage.

“I wish Ralf had included me or at least let me participate in his decision. That would have been a sign of respect,” she told Spiegel about Marca.

“During his career in Formula 1 there were a lot of rumours in the paddock. I asked him to clarify if what was said was true, but he always denied it and told me that I was imagining it all and that maybe I needed psychological help.

“When he announced it, it was like a stab in the heart. Coming out always has an impact on the people around you, including the ex-wife with whom you had a child.”

Ralf, six-time race winner, raced between 1997 and 2007 (pictured with brother Michael)

She is a former GQ cover star and still a major television personality in Germany

Ralf's son David (above) said after the announcement that he was “100 percent behind” his father

“Today I feel exploited in the marriage. I feel like I have wasted my best years. I ask myself a lot of questions. Was he honest with me?

“And there is something else that is even more important to me: Did he love me? I trusted him blindly and therefore his word was law for me.”

Ralf Schumacher, 49, has been together with Etienne for two years; the two met in Monaco, according to Carmen Geiss, an actress and close friend of the couple.

It was assumed that Ralf and Cora were still close, as he congratulated her in January on her joining the cast of the German version of “I'm a Celebrity – Get Me Out of Here!”.

She is a German actress, model, former racing driver and television presenter and is also represented on the erotic platform Only Fans.

In October 2003, she appeared on the cover of the German edition of GQ before turning her attention to racing.

Cora and Ralf are said to still be close after he congratulated her on joining the cast of the German version of “I'm a Celebrity – Get Me Out of Here!” in January.

Influenced by her husband, she made her racing debut in 2004 as part of the celebrity team at the Mini Challenge in Germany, qualifying 22nd out of 24 in her first race.

From then on, she devoted herself to more competitive racing and enjoyed it for 14 years until she ended her career as a cyclist in 2018.

Her son David, 22, expressed his support for his father on social media when he revealed that he is gay.

“I am very happy that you have finally found someone with whom you feel truly comfortable and secure, whether man or woman,” he wrote.

“I’m 100 percent behind you, Dad, and wish you all the best and congratulations.”