On July 14 2024, German and former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher made F1 history by becoming the fourth openly LGBTQ+ driver in the sport. But he’s not the only one to have broken barriers in Formula One. From past drivers to more recent figures, the number of out LGBTQ+ drivers in Formula 1 remains small but significant. So, who are these trailblazing drivers, and what are their stories?
What To Know?
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LGBTQ+ Representation in F1 – Only four drivers in Formula 1 history have publicly come out as LGBTQ+: Ralf Schumacher, Mike Beuttler, Mário de Araújo Cabral, and Lella Lombardi. Their journeys highlight both progress and challenges in motorsport.
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Key Figures & Their Stories – Ralf Schumacher recently came out, receiving widespread support. Mike Beuttler was semi-closeted during his career, later moving to the U.S. before passing away in 1988. Mário de Araújo Cabral came out as bisexual at 75, while Lella Lombardi, the only woman to score F1 points, lived openly as a lesbian.
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F1’s Progress & Legacy – These drivers broke barriers in a traditionally conservative sport. Their stories continue to inspire inclusivity in motorsport, paving the way for greater LGBTQ+ visibility and acceptance in racing.
Are there any gay F1 drivers?
Schumacher, at the time was just the fourth driver in the sport’s 75-year history to come out, following Mike Beuttler (who drove in F1 between 1971 and 1973), Mario de Araujo Cabral (who came out at the age of 75 after racing in F1 five times between 1959-1964) and Lella Lombardi, the only female driver to score points in F1.
Mike Beuttler
Mike Beuttler was a British racing driver who competed in Formula One between 1971 and 1973, a period characterised by a profoundly macho backdrop of men risking their lives in the dangerous sport of fast cars, partying lifestyles and women. Despite the prevailing attitudes of the time, Beuttler was known among close circles as being gay, though he remained “semi-closeted” publicly. While Beuttler’s sexuality was known to some, it wasn’t openly discussed, reflecting the era’s conservative stance on LGBTQ+ matters.
Formula One World Championship Career
| Nationality | British |
|---|---|
| F1 Career | 1971–1973 |
| Teams | Non-works March |
| Entries | 29 (28 starts) |
| Championships | 0 |
| Wins | 0 |
| Podiums | 0 |
| Career points | 0 |
| Pole positions | 0 |
| Fastest laps | 0 |
| First entry | 1971 British Grand Prix |
| Last entry | 1973 United States Grand Prix |
After retiring from racing in 1973, Beuttler relocated to the United States, seeking a more open environment where he could live true to himself. Cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco in that era would have offered him the freedom to express his identity more openly than in London, where being gay often required secrecy.
Tragically, Beuttler’s life was cut short when he passed away in 1988 at the age of 48 due to complications related to AIDS. His story remains a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in motorsport during a time when acceptance was limited, highlighting his quiet resilience in navigating both his career and personal identity.
Mário de Araújo Cabral
Mário de Araújo Cabral, affectionately known as “Nicha,” was a Portuguese driver who drove in Formula One during the late 1950s and early 1960s. Born on January 15, 1934, in Cedofeita, Porto, Portugal, Cabral became the first Portuguese driver to compete in Formula One, racing in five World Championship Grands Prix between 1959 and 1964.
Formula One World Championship Career
| Nationality | Portuguese |
|---|---|
| F1 Career | 1959–1960, 1963–1964 |
| Teams | Derrington-Francis non-works Cooper |
| Entries | 5 (4 starts) |
| Championships | 0 |
| Wins | 0 |
| Podiums | 0 |
| Career points | 0 |
| Pole positions | 0 |
| Fastest laps | 0 |
| First entry | 1959 Portuguese Grand Prix |
| Last entry | 1964 Italian Grand Prix |
In 2009, at the age of 75, Cabral publicly came out as bisexual, making him one of the few Formula One drivers to discuss their sexuality openly. His revelation was important not just for him personally but for the sport and motorsports in general, considering the highly conservative nature of F1 during his racing career.
Cabral’s legacy extends beyond his racing achievements; he is remembered for his courage in embracing his identity later in life, paving the way for greater acceptance and representation within the motorsport community. He passed away on August 17, 2020, at 86, leaving behind a legacy of racing and personal bravery.
Lella Lombardi
Maria Grazia “Lella” Lombardi, born on March 26, 1941, in Frugarolo, Italy, was a pioneering figure in motorsport. She began her career as a delivery driver for her family’s butcher shop, which sparked her passion for racing. Lombardi progressed through various racing categories, including Formula Monza and Formula Three, before making her mark in Formula One.
Formula One World Championship Career
| Nationality | Italian |
|---|---|
| Active years | 1974–1976 |
| Teams | March, RAM, Williams, Brabham |
| Entries | 17 (12 starts) |
| Championships | 0 |
| Wins | 0 |
| Podiums | 0 |
| Career points | 0.5 |
| Pole positions | 0 |
| Fastest laps | 0 |
| First entry | 1974 British Grand Prix |
| Last entry | 1976 Austrian Grand Prix |
In 1975, Lombardi made F1 history by becoming the only woman to score points in a Formula One World Championship race. She secured half a point for her sixth-place finish at the 1975 panish Grand Prix, a race that was cut short due to a tragic accident. Throughout her career, Lombardi participated in 17 Grand Prix events, starting in 12 of them, and to this day remains the woman with the most Grand Prix starts.
Beyond racing, Lombardi was known for her personal life, living openly as a lesbian when such openness was rare in motorsport. She was survived by her partner, Fiorenza, after passing away from cancer on March 3, 1992, at the age of 50. Lombardi’s legacy continues to inspire women in motorsport, where she broke down barriers for females and LGBTQ+ individuals in the racing community.
Ralf Schumacher
Ralf Schumacher, the younger brother of seven-time F1 champion Michael Schumacher, raced for Jordan, Williams, and Toyota before retiring in 2007, and is only the fourth driver in F1 history to come out as LGBTQ+.
| F1 Career | 1997–2007 |
|---|---|
| Teams | Jordan, Williams, Toyota |
| Entries | 182 (180 starts) |
| Championships | 0 |
| Wins | 6 |
| Podiums | 27 |
| Career points | 329 |
| Pole positions | 6 |
| Fastest laps | 8 |
| First entry | 1997 Australian Grand Prix |
| First win | 2001 San Marino Grand Prix |
| Last win | 2003 French Grand Prix |
| Last entry | 2007 Brazilian Grand Prix |
In July 2024, Schumacher shared his news with fans through a heartfelt Instagram post. In the post, he introduced his partner of two years, 34-year-old Étienne Bousquet-Cassagne. The post featured a touching image of the two gazing at a sunset with the caption, “The most beautiful thing in life is when you have the right partner by your side with whom you can share everything.”
Schumacher, who had previously married model Cora-Caroline Brinkman and shares a son, David, received overwhelming support from loved ones and the motorsport community. His 22-year-old son expressed his pride in a public comment, writing: “I’m very happy that you’ve finally found someone with whom you truly feel comfortable and safe, no matter if it’s a man or a woman. I’m 100% behind you, Dad, and I wish you all the best! Congratulations!”
The announcement also sparked praise from F1 legend Lewis Hamilton, who called Schumacher’s coming out a “sends such a positive message” that could inspire others in the LGBTQ+ community to embrace their identity.
Which F1 drivers’ have supported LGBTQ+?
Throughout their illustrious Formula 1 careers, seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton and four-time champion Sebastian Vettel have used their influence in the sport to become vocal advocates for LGBTQ+ rights, using their media platforms to promote inclusivity within the sport and beyond.
In July 2021, ahead of the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix, both drivers publicly opposed Hungary’s anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. Hamilton took to Instagram to condemn the law, urging Hungarians to vote against it in an upcoming referendum, stating, “Everyone deserves to have the freedom to be themselves, no matter who they love or how they identify.” Vettel showed solidarity by wearing a rainbow-coloured ‘Same Love’ T-shirt during the pre-race ceremonies. Although reprimanded for not removing the T-shirt before the national anthem, Vettel remained unapologetic, emphasising the importance of supporting LGBTQ+ rights.
Later that year, during the inaugural Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in December 2021, both drivers continued their advocacy. Hamilton wore a helmet adorned with rainbow colours to highlight LGBTQ+ rights and criticised the country’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws, describing them as “pretty terrifying.” Vettel organised a women-only karting event to promote gender equality, further demonstrating his commitment to inclusivity.
In June 2021, Vettel’s team, Aston Martin, partnered with Racing Pride, which promotes LGBTQ+ inclusivity in motorsport. This collaboration saw Racing Pride logos featured on Aston Martin’s cars during the 2021 French Grand Prix, with Vettel expressing his support for the initiative and the broader message of acceptance within the sport.
Through these actions, Hamilton and Vettel have significantly contributed to raising awareness and fostering a more inclusive environment in Formula 1, challenging norms and encouraging positive change within the sport.
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