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Lewis Hamilton has been one of several F1 drivers to voice their support for Ralf Schumacher after the former racer came out as gay, with the seven-time world champion hopeful that it will “liberate others to be able to do the same”.
Schumacher – who won six races during his Formula 1 career, having driven for Jordan, Williams and Toyota respectively between 1997 and 2007 – shared a picture of himself and his partner, Etienne, on Instagram earlier this week and added the caption: “The most beautiful thing in life is when you have the right partner by your side with whom you can share everything.”
The 49-year-old received many supportive comments on the post, and amongst these was a message from son David – also a racing driver – who wrote: “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.
“I am 100% behind you dad and wish you all the best and congratulations.”
Hamilton – who has been vocal in support of gay rights, having been an advocate for increasing diversity within motorsport – joined the support for Schumacher when speaking to the media ahead of this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix.
“I think clearly he’s not felt comfortable being able to say it in the past, and it’s definitely not a new thing,” Hamilton reflected. “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.
“And hopefully he will be able to say that, that I think he’s so far had only positive feedback from people, and I think that’s because of the time we’re living in and the changes we are [seeing].”
Hamilton added: “Even him taking that step sends such a positive message and liberates others to be able to do the same, and we need more and more people to do that.”
Several other drivers have also wished Schumacher well, including countryman Nico Hulkenberg, who was critical of any negative comments that the post may have received.
“Obviously it’s a very personal matter, but I congratulate that if he’s coming out with that,” the Haas driver commented.
“There’s nothing wrong with that in modern times, where diversity is all to play for. There’s always going to be hate in the world, especially online – that’s a place where people abuse that easily, where they can hide. That’s not great, not fantastic, but other than that, all good.”
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, meanwhile, spoke of the importance of ensuring that everybody in the sport feels comfortable enough to be themselves.
“I think it’s great that he feels comfortable in coming out like that,” the Australian added. “I think that’s what we want as a sport, to be inclusive for everybody, and have people feel safe in coming out or whatever is in their lives. Congratulations to him, and I think it’s a good thing.”
Fernando Alonso – who raced against Schumacher for several years of his own career – added that both he and the wider Formula 1 community were supportive of the former driver.
“Same comments, congratulations to him,” said Alonso. “Total support from my side and I’m sure all the F1 community. It’s great that he feels good, and we all feel good for him as well.