Ralf Schumacher earned widespread support from the F1 world last week when he publicly revealed his same-sex relationship with his partner Etienne.
The six-time Formula One race winner and brother of Michael revealed the news in a social media post captioned "The most beautiful thing in life is when you have the right partner by your side with whom you can share everything."
Schumacher found support from the F1 community including from seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who said.
Clearly he has not felt comfortable being able to say it in the past. It is definitely not a new thing.
But it shows that we are in a time finally when we can take that step and don't have to fear.
Hopefully he will be able to say that he's so far had only positive feedback from people [in F1] and that's because of the time we're living in and the changes we are.
Though the support for Schumacher has been wonderful to see, it is equally important to remember that it is a rare occurrence for an international male sportsperson to publicly come out.
Indeed, Schumacher is the first driver in the history of the sport to openly identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community.
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Speaking on his podcast this week, Eddie Jordan shared his love and support for his former driver Schumacher, while also asserting that it should herald a period of greater acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community in the world of Formula One.
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Eddie Jordan had a heartwarming message of support for Ralf Schumacher
Ralf Schumacher not only drove for Eddie Jordan's F3 team in the early 1990s but also got his big break in Formula One with Jordan's team later in the '90s, signing with Jordan ahead of the 1997 season.
Schumacher also took P2 in the team's historic 1-2 at the 1998 Belgian Grand Prix, before departing for Williams the following season.
Only a few weeks ago, Schumacher appeared on Jordan's Formula for Success podcast, reflecting on the days they spent together in F1.
Speaking on this week's episode alongside David Coulthard, Jordan responded to the recent announcement by his former driver.
Co-host David Coulthard confirmed that Schumacher's sexuality had been an open secret in the paddock for some time and said that the German had been widely accepted by his peers.
Jordan said that he was proud of Schumacher for making his sexuality public. However, the Irishman added that F1 still had a long way to go in building an accepting environment for gay drivers.
I think sport has a handbrake on all of this stuff and I think it's wrong.
If you're telling me that Ralf is the first gay driver we've ever had in Formula One then I would disagree with you and say that's complete nonsense.
To my knowledge, Ralf coming out and saying what he's said, was the first time it's ever happened in Formula One, hence why it was in the news.
I know Ralf a very long time...I've known and absolutely loved Ralf absolutely all of that time. I would tell you truthfully that I don't know many more beautiful and nicer people than him. He has a great soul.
Of course Ralf and I discussed this particular situation on many an occasion. I said, 'Look, Ralf, you're never going to be fully happy with yourself unless you make it clear...you're a big guy, you're strong, you're a multiple Grand Prix winner, just get out there. If that's how you feel, say it man!'
I wrote to him every day last week because he was saying, 'Oh, what do you think the reaction in Hungary [at the Hungarian GP] will be?'
I said, 'Joy and happiness.' A lot of people knew, and this was just confirmation.
I'm overjoyed, I think Ralf will have a new lease of life, he has that big millstone taken from around his neck.
Yes, sexuality is free but it's not free in sport. Motor racing is a particular example. We've already said that - there has to have been gay people in Formula One in the past, of course there has, as there are in every walk of life.
It's a fact of life and we have to embrace it. It should not be put away in a closet and it should not be locked away. People should come out and enjoy their lives as they are.
Heartwarming words from Eddie Jordan.
Of course, a wider cultural change is still required in many places before top-level sport becomes fully inclusive of LGBTQ+ players.
However, the recent announcement of Ralf Schumacher will have warmed the hearts of F1 fans and will hopefully herald a new era of acceptance in motorsport.
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