Ralf Schumacher's ex-wife checks into therapy after panic attacks

Ralf Schumacher's ex-wife has checked into therapy due to experiencing panic attacks after claiming she only found out the former F1 driver is gay via Instagram earlier this year.

Reality TV star Cora Schumacher, 47, was married to Ralf, 49, for 13 years between 2001 and 2014, but Ralf came out as gay in July when he revealed on social media that he is now in a relationship with French business manager Etienne Bousquet-Cassagne.

Cora claims this is the first she heard of the relationship, and has now stated this has led to her struggling with her mental health and suffering from panic attacks.

She announced on Instagram that she has sought therapy as the saga has 'opened up many old wounds' following her divorce from Ralf a decade ago.

Cora added: 'In order to be able to process the events of the last few years, I proactively sought therapeutic help. The experiences during the separation and the subsequent divorce in 2014 shook me deeply and I still have to process these events to this day.'

She also went into further details on how her health has deteriorated, telling Bild: 'It was a hard day for me today. At first, the conversation with the lawyer was only possible with the help of a therapist. 

'Yesterday and today I had panic attacks and a racing heart because I was afraid that I would be attacked again. The therapy is bringing everything back up.'

Since Ralf's shock announcement in July, a bitter feud with his ex-wife has escalated in recent months.

Cora reacted angrily by claiming she had 'wasted her best years' on Ralf, but the brother of F1 legend Michael 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' last month, as he claimed his mum has 'mental problems'.

In her Instagram statement, Cora referenced people turning on her for her decision to seek help.

She wrote: 'The numerous false statements and hostility on the internet have taken their toll.'

But she is adamant that she made the right call by going into therapy, as she told her Instagram followers: 'It was definitely the right decision to take this path - to finally experience understanding and healing.'