Formula One’s Lewis Hamilton is never far from controversy and there’s another brewing on the horizon. The British driver announced his split from long time physio/trainer Angela Cullen at the second round of the season in Saudi Arabia.

The end of the seven year partnership was explained by Lewis who posted:

“So today I hope you’ll join me in wishing her the very best as she takes her next steps to pursue her dreams. Thank you for everything Ang, I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for you.”

 

 

Trainer leaves to “pursue her dreams”

Hamilton implied the parting of the ways was because Cullen wanted to pursue ‘her dreams’ which she was unable to do while travelling the world in the wake of the F1 circus.

“Angela is living her life right now. She’s got so many great ideas of things she wants to do. We message pretty much every day, We’re still going to skydive together,” added the Mercedes’ driver. 

“We’re always going to be in each other’s lives. We are stuck together, unfortunately, or fortunately. We’ve been through thick and thin so I’m grateful our relationship is as good as it is and I think we’ve probably had one of the longest relationships in the sport, so incredibly grateful for her and I love her dearly.”

Lewis thanked Angela indicating her role extended beyond ensuring he was in peak physical condition.

 

 

Lewis pays tribute to Cullen

“For the last seven years, Angela has been by my side, pushing me to be the best version of myself. I am a stronger athlete and a better person because of her.”

Just days after her split from Hamilton, Cullen uploaded a picture of herself paragliding. she wrote: “When taking on a new challenge or striving to achieve new goals surround yourself with people obsessed with what you are trying to achieve.

“Find people you trust, who are aligned with your core values who can teach you and inspire you and most of all love what [you] are doing and have fun along the way.”

Cullen posted another strange narrative together with a picture of her rock climbing and she offered the following advice.

Vasseur speaks out on paddock rumour

 

 

Strange post from Cullen

“Training for love. Training for life. Respect the hustle. Don’t forget to listen to your heart.”

The timing of the split was unusual.

Had this been planned carefully over the winter surely Cullen would not have travelled to pre-season testing and the first race weekend in Bahrain.

When asked how this turn of events might affect his star driver, Toto Wolff appeared surprised by the revelation.

 

 

Wolff plays dumb

“I don’t know what has been announced”, the Mercedes’  boss told Sky although he appeared to admit the decision was instigated by Hamilton.

“But, you know, if this is what he decides, we will always absolutely support him, whatever direction he wants to take,” Toto concluded.

It appeared all had gone quiet in the Hamilton/Cullen mystery until yesterday when the New Zealander again posted on her Instagram story.

“The present moment. Find your stillness. That’s where you create magic. Let’s go.”

Verstappen calls for team review

 

 

Public show of psychological support 

Angela then uploaded an image of Lewis preparing on the grid along with a caption.

“There is so much noise in the environments we have created around us and chose to live in, constant bombardment of information, from socials, phones, TVs, people around us, even our own minds with habits of overthinking and analysing are contributing to this constant chatter.

“The challenge is to be in the present moment, where nothing else exists, focus and find the quiet! This is where you will find your answers. This is where the magic happens. This is where dreams come true. Let’s go team LH.”

Given Lewis Hamilton revealed that even after their split he and Angela text “almost every day” this very public show of psychological support is a little off the wall.

 

 

More than just “professionals?”

There are those who believe the Hamilton/Cullen relationship was more than just a professional arrangement and that her social media posts at times border on the bizarre.

Hamilton had previously discussed the impact Cullen had on his life prior to the separation.

“People for sure won’t understand it, naturally, because they see it from a distance, but she has been one of the greatest things that’s happened to me in my life,” he declared. 

“She’s focused, selfless, and she makes my weekends peaceful. Every day I wake up, whatever time it is, she’s just positive – never a single day has she been negative, so that’s very, very important.”

Clearly the impact of ‘losing’ Angela Cullen on Lewis musty be huge but until the truth comes out, speculation about the real nature of their relationship will continue along with guesswork around the reasoning for their split.

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Timing it to perfection 👏

Max meant that one… 😤#AzerbaijanGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/tX6zJhBdba

— Formula 1 (@F1) April 29, 2023