They were married for 14 years after meeting at a lakeside race circuit, before calling it quits in 2011.
Now, Australian racing legend Craig Lowndes is said to be devastated that his ex-wife Natalie, 45, is dating a man 10 years her junior who lives at home with his parents.
After being slammed by his bitter ex back in July for not telling the couple’s children – Levi and Chilli – of his plans to retire, and shunning them when they turned up trackside to watch their dad race, Craig has been left heartbroken by the news of Nat’s romance with John Diehm.
“John is much younger than Nat and he has been on Centrelink for 15 years and also has an 8-year-old daughter who lives two suburbs away,” a close friend reveals.
Making matters worse, Natalie invited John to join her “dream team” in a Bathurst charity race earlier this year despite her new lover not being able to drive.
“It’s a kick in the guts for Craig, for sure,” the friend continues.
“This new guy has been popping up all over her social media accounts and Craig hardly knows a thing about him.”
Craig, who is set to retire for good at the end of the year, has previously admitted that the years he spent touring for motorsport meant he missed out on many special milestones with his children. “It’s tough,” he said back in 2013.
Now, New Idea understands the 44-year-old is hoping to make up for lost time once his gruelling schedule is finally over.
“Craig loves his kids and wants to make up for all those years he had to spend away,” the source continues. “He has been looking forward to retiring for that reason.”
But just days after he confirmed this would be his last season in the Supercars Championship, the ugly family spat came to a head.
Taking to social media, Natalie berated her former husband, who went on to remarry his now wife Lara in 2015, for not informing his kids about his plans.
“The kids did not know about his retirement and found out when the world was told,” she wrote on Facebook, infuriating those close to Craig.
“It’s a joke,” the friend says, adding Craig has always supported his family financially.
“Yes, Craig has been away a lot because that’s the nature of his job and Nat knew that when she married him.
“She lives a dream life and has everything she has ever wanted because of Craig. But John, he doesn’t even have a job.”
For the full story see this weeks issue of New Idea, on sale now.
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