Ralf coming out is good for F1 but more to do, says Hamilton

BUDAPEST : Formula One still has a way to go on inclusivity despite the sport's positive reaction to Ralf Schumacher's announcement that he is in a single-sex relationship, Lewis Hamilton said on Thursday.

Retired racer Schumacher, the younger brother of Ferrari great Michael and winner of six grands prix in a 180-race career between 1997 and 2007, revealed his status on social media at the weekend.

The number of openly non-heterosexual drivers in the 74-year history of male-dominated Formula One can be counted on the fingers of one hand and Ralf, 49, is by far the most prominent and successful.

A pundit for Sky television in Germany, the former Jordan, Williams and Toyota driver is a familiar face in the paddock. Divorced, he has a 22-year-old son David who competes in sportscar racing.

"Clearly he has not felt comfortable being able to say it in the past. It is definitely not a new thing," Mercedes' seven times world champion Hamilton told reporters at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

"I think it just shows that we are in a time where finally you can take that step and don’t have to fear.

"So far I’ve heard only positive feedback from people (in F1) and I think that’s because of the times we live in and the changes."

Ralf's sexuality was sometimes alluded to by paddock insiders during his time as a grand prix racer but more often ignored and his privacy respected.

McLaren's Lando Norris said it was good to be open.

"Whether it's this or talking about mental health, you just want people to live their life and be happy and not feel like they are going to get judged, so I'm very happy for him," said the Briton.

STRONG STANCE

Hamilton has taken a strong stance on LGBTQ+ issues over the years and has worn a Progress Pride helmet in countries