One of the surprise news items emerging at the 2023 Formula One Saudi Grand Prix was the split between Lewis Hamilton and his personal trainer and physio Angela Cullen.

The former New Zealand national team hockey player Cullen had worked as Hamilton’s dedicated performance coach since 2016. However in March last year Cullen and the seven-time world champion took to social mediate announce they were parting company.

 

 

 

Strange news over Hamilton/Cullen break up

Whilst neither explained the reasons for the breakup of a popular and successful partnership the fact this was unplanned did not go unnoticed here at TJ13.

A planned exit agreed by both parties would naturally  take place at the end of a season, yet Cullen had attended with Lewis at both pre-season testing and the Bahrain GP.

Toto Wolff was questioned as to the reason for the split and how it may affect Lewis, but the Mercedes boss gave a coded response before changing the subject to Lewis Hamilton’s as yet unsigned contract.

Toto claimed the split was part of an “honest” appraisal by Hamilton and without prompt revealed Mercedes would support “whatever decision he wants to take”.

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‘Not working’ for Lewis anymore

The Mercedes boss said: “Angela was part of the gang for a long time. I think in every team, whether that is his close circle, or also in the wider group, this is not a static situation that you can freeze, because we all develop as people.

“We develop as an organisation and, if things don’t work out anymore, then we need to be honest about it and then bring change.”

In the words of Toto, things were not working anymore between the famous pair and so clearly the British driver decided enough was enough.

“Angela will always be a mascot of the team. She’s the only one who has a louder voice than a starting car!” Continued Wolff.

“But, if this is what [Lewis] decides, we will always absolutely support him, whatever direction he wants to take.”

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Hamilton mental state questioned

At the time there were paddock rumours suggesting Lewis Hamilton was not in the greatest off places mentally having lost the title in dramatic fashion the previous season and given his Mercedes team had failed to develop a winning car over the previous two winters.

Hamilton had suggested his physical regime was not where he anted it to ensure he can compete on equal terms with his team mate who again in Jeddah had out qualified the seven times champion and finished ahead of him in the race too.

An under pressure Hamilton appeared to find it necessary to aim a dig at Russell claiming his inexperience often led to wrong setup decisions.

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Lewis criticises Russell’s approach

“There was like a 50-50 choice. I chose one way and he chose another,” Hamilton said when asked about how much say they have on set up.

“More often than not, the way [Russell] went is the wrong one. But it just happened to work [this weekend]. 

“So I could only match his pace than be quicker this weekend. But I’ll work hard to make sure we are in a better place next time.”

At the time Lewis had come off the back of a season where new boy to Mercedes George Russell, had easily beaten Hamilton in the drivers championship and so the setup comments appeared untrue and petty.

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Emotional farewell

Hamilton did recover his poise during the 2023 season and finished the best of there rest behind the two Red Bull drivers in the drivers title race. Yet towards the end of the year Russell came back strongly against Lewis and managed to finish the year level in qualifying as the Mercedes pair finished 11-11.

Now it appears Hamilton’s mentor and physio is back on the scene. Angela Cullen has made a return to the UK fuelling rumours she is soon to make a motorsports return.

The New Zealander has been on her “next big adventure” travelling the world and engaging in high adrenaline activities. Lewis posted an emotional message when Cullen originally left thanking her for everything she’d done for him.

“For the last seven years @cullen_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.

“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 🚀✨”

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Cullen is back for “fresh opportunities”

Now Cullen announces to her instagram followers she is ‘back’ with a picture of Tower Bridge in London appearing on her storyline alongside the caption: “Blessings 🙏”. 

As the teams and drivers gear up for the new season ahead and the first car launch less than two weeks away, Cullen’s expertise would be in high demand an an F1 return is on the cards.

Cullen stated at the turn of the year she was looking for “fresh opportunities” and a return to Mercedes as “mascot” and Hamilton’s physio would not be a surprise given the “blessings” she received on her departure.

Conversely were Angela to pop up elsewhere in F1 then questions would quickly surface over the reason for her leaving Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton. 

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Surprise price tag on Norris head

Its not the norm in Formula One for drivers to be transferred to other teams whilst under contract, yet in football (soccer to US readers) this is often a means of making money on a player. A team may ring along a junior superstar at little or no expense and sell them whilst they are serving a five year contract with the club.

Formula One teams don’t often these days break contracts and further the drivers of today enjoy more long standing relationships with their teams than their predecessors.

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