Ralf Schumacher’s ex-wife BURNS wedding dress after divorce from former Formula One star, who came out as gay a decade after their 13-year marriage ended

Cora Schumacher, the ex-wife of former Formula One driver Ralf, has revealed that she burned her wedding dress following their split. 

Ralf, the younger brother of seven-time world champion Michael, came out as gay in July when he revealed that he is now in a relationship with French business manager Etienne Bousquet-Cassagne.

Cora wed the former driver in a lavish ceremony in Salzburg in 2001 and the pair were married for 13 years.

In November, she claimed that Ralf’s Instagram announcement was the first she had heard about the relationship and that it had promoted her to seek therapy over the saga, which had ‘opened up many old wounds’.

Now, in the German TV show ‘Uber Geld spricht man doch!’, in which she speaks openly about her financial situation, she shed light on how she dealt with unearthing the special attire. 

‘This is the rest of my wedding dress from Escada,’ she is reported to have said in Bild, after showing the remains of the garment. ‘I don’t even know why it’s still here.’

She told the German publication: ‘Among other things, I’ve learned through my therapy that disappointments are often linked to false expectations. 

‘Today, I try to approach situations and people more openly and less judgmentally. Instead of withdrawing, I seek exchange with those who are good for me. It’s a journey where you learn to let go and look forward.’

Last year, Cora made a public plea to the former Williams driver to leave her alone so that she can ‘heal in peace’. 

Since Ralf’s shock announcement in July, the pair’s relationship has escalated into a bitter feud.

Cora reacted angrily to the bombshell news by claiming she had ‘wasted her best years’ on Ralf, but he hit back, insisting she had known that he was gay before he went public.

He leaked WhatsApp messages that appeared to show Cora congratulating him on his relationship with Bousquet-Cassagne prior to his social media revelation.

However, Cora responded by stating that she only learned Ralf is gay this summer after years of doubts over whether he was attracted to men, including when they were married.

Ralf has received the support of his son, David, who told Cora to ‘leave us alone’ as he claimed his mum has ‘mental problems’.

In November, Bild reported that Ralf was taking legal action against his ex-wife in an effort to prohibit her from making statements about their relationship and his sexuality on Instagram, with the most recent warning letter arriving at Cora’s lawyers just days before she went public.

She told the newspaper: ‘I finally want to put my past behind me and I wish Ralf would let me heal in peace so that I can finally start living my life carefree.’

Cora’s lawyer Verena Haisch added: ‘It is bad enough that Ralf Schumacher took the mother of their son by surprise with his coming out, then attacked her legally and refused to reach an agreement.

‘But the fact that he is now issuing another warning to his former wife, even though I explained to his lawyer exactly how bad Cora Schumacher is feeling and how urgently she needs rest, leaves me speechless.

‘Fortunately, Cora Schumacher is a strong and kind-hearted woman who will recover.’

She went on to claim that things would end badly for Ralf should he take the matter to court upon Cora’s refusal to issue an injunction.