Michael Schumacher’s brother, and former Formula 1 driver, Ralf, comes out sharing a photo with his partner on social media, along with a heartfelt message

Formula 1 driver and brother of Michael Schumacher has come out as gay on social media.

The relative of the seven-time Formula 1 champion posted a photo on Instagram on Sunday of himself and another man standing arm in arm on a boat.

The caption of the image reads: ‘The best thing in life is when you have the right partner by your side with whom you can share everything.’

Ralf’s good friend and German actress Carmen Geiss responded to his post on social media, writing: ‘I LOVE YOU BOTH SO MUCH.

“You have the best partner, Etienne, that you could ever imagine. After two years, you can finally show your love to the world. I have known Ralf for over 25 years and he has always been a great joy to me.

Michael, left, pictured next to his brother Ralf in 2006, who raced for Toyota

‘Always a liberal, a kind-hearted person whom I can call day and night and above all he has always been honest with me about his position.

“I am happy that I could be part of this love and I am even happier for the two who sought and found each other. Because I also love Étienne very much.”

In January it was announced that Michael Schumacher could “sit back at the dinner table”, according to retired star Johnny Herbert.

Schumacher, who won the world championship seven times during his career, was involved in a tragic skiing accident in December 2013, which left him in an induced coma.

The condition of Schumacher, who was placed in an induced coma and underwent multiple operations, has since been shrouded in mystery, with only brief updates coming from those close to him.

However, it appears an update has been provided on the German car, with former British F1 star Herbert revealing in a recent interview.

Speaking to BettingSites.co.uk, Herbert said: ‘I’m only hearing second hand. I’m hearing from people in F1 that he’s sitting down for dinner, but I don’t know if that’s true. I can only read between the lines.

Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher has come out as gay on social media

“We haven’t heard much from the family and that’s understandable. That’s always been a big part of Michaels and the family’s way of keeping everything very private and secret.

“That’s continued since his racing days. I don’t feel like things have changed in the way that many of us who knew him and many of his fans around the world want to see.

“They would like to know, we would all like to know that things are moving in a positive way. But because we don’t have any information, we can only assume that he is not yet in a position where there is a chance of recovery.”